Former Jaguars employee spent millions of alleged embezzled money to fund ‘life of luxury,’ prosecutors say

Federal prosecutors detailed some of former Jacksonville Jaguars employee Amit Patel’s extravagant expenditures. 

Patel is accused of embezzling an estimated $22 million from the NFL franchise. 

Federal investigators allege a significant amount of the money financed a “life of luxury.” According to a recent court filing, Patel purchased Tiger Woods’ putter from 1996 and spent more than $78,000 on private air travel.

A $275,000 retainer for Patel’s attorney, Alex King, was paid with the misappropriated funds, according to the court filing. King asserted his client developed a gambling addiction and, as losses began to mount, he used the fraudulently obtained money to pay off his debt.

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A Jacksonville Jaguars helmet during training camp at Miller Electric Center July 28, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla.  (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

King estimated “99% of the misappropriated funds” were used to subsidize the gambling losses. However, authorities said Patel used approximately $5 million on personal expenses.

Documents showed Patel transferred approximately $20 million to FanDuel and another $1 million to DraftKings. Patel is believed to have spent close to $600,000 on various items from Apple and more than $40,000 at Amazon and Best Buy combined.

SPORTSBOOK REFUSING TO RETURN $20 MILLION STOLEN FROM JAGUARS BY FORMER TEAM EMPLOYEE TO GAMBLE: REPORTS

He also moved $5 million from the FanDuel and DraftKings accounts into other personal accounts, the filing stated. 

King’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Jacksonville Jaguars logo before an AFC wild-card playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers at TIAA Bank Field Jan. 14, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla.  (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

The Jaguars fired Patel in early 2023, but he’s accused of continuing to spend the stolen money even after his firing.

More than $9,000 in purchases from the Jaguars, the team’s Pro Shop, the stadium club and the stadium were also listed in Patel’s transactions.

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Patel faced a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine after he pleaded guilty to felony wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction in U.S. District Court in December. He is expected to be sentenced next week.

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