Former Jaguars Employee Accused Of Stealing More Than $22 Million

Former Jacksonville Jaguars employee Amit Patel has been charged with wire fraud after allegedly stealing more than $22 million by abusing the team’s credit card program. Patel is accused of racking up fraudulent or misleading personal charges through the team system as a member of the organization’s financial department.

“As was made clear in the charges, this individual was a former manager of financial planning and analysis who took advantage of his trusted position to covertly and intentionally commit significant fraudulent financial activity at the team’s expense for personal benefit,” the Jaguars said in a statement.

“This individual had no access to confidential football strategy, personnel or other football information,” the team added. “The team engaged experienced law and accounting firms to conduct a comprehensive independent review, which concluded that no other team employees were involved in or aware of his criminal activity.”

Patel is believed to have begun working for the team in 2018 and was fired in February this year. In addition to the wire fraud charge, he also faces a charge of conducting an illegal monetary transaction for using team funds to purchase a $95,000 watch.

Other charges Patel made were for a Tesla automobile, online gambling, a condo in Vedra Beach, Florida, and membership at a local country club.

Patel’s first court date has not yet been set, but if convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and hefty fines.

Article by Patrick Moquin