Federal authorities detailed in court documents how former Jacksonville Jaguars employee Amit Patel lived a ‘life of luxury’ after he stole $22 million from the team.
Patel was the administrator for the Jaguars’ virtual credit card program from September 2019 to February 2023 and conducted his scheme during that time period.
According to a sentencing memorandum obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Patel transferred approximately $20 million to FanDuel and $1 million to DraftKings and spent more than $5 million on items, including over $200,000 for golf memorabilia, such as $47,113.92 for Tiger Woods’ 1996 putter, $78,800 in private jets, and $278,000 for hotels, rental properties, and travel.
Patel also spent $95,000 on a single wristwatch and continued to spend cash after his firing, purchasing a game-used Trevor Lawrence jersey for $2,200 on eBay.
Other things that Patel spent money on include $69,025.26 with Ticketmaster, over $77,000 at the Ponte Vedra Beach Inn and Club, including a $25,581.30 initiation fee, and $5,508.35 for spa services.
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Patel faced up to 30 years and up to a $500,000 fine, but he pled guilty in December, and prosecutors are recommending a mid-range sentence of seven years ‘given the immense scope of the defendant’s crimes and his recent efforts to shift the blame to his victim.’
According to court documents, Patel, who will be sentenced on Tuesday, ‘casted himself as a tragic figure who engaged “in a horribly misguided effort to pay back previous gambling losses.’
Federal prosecutors said that claim, at best, ‘is deceptive.’