A former staff member of the Jacksonville Jaguars is under suspicion of embezzling more than $22 million from the team between 2019 and 2023 through the exploitation of the organization’s digital credit card system.
Amit Patel, who served at the Jaguars from 2018 to 2023, reportedly misused the misappropriated funds to acquire two automobiles, a luxury apartment, a high-end wristwatch valued at over $95,000, and chartered private aircraft. Furthermore, he allegedly utilized the money for investments in cryptocurrency and placing wagers on internet betting platforms.
Patel has been implicated in legal documents.
“The Jaguars were not explicitly identified in the federal submission – the entity was mentioned as “Business A” – however, the club acknowledged that it was the target of Patel’s supposed offenses.”
“We can verify that in February 2023, the club dismissed the individual named in the filing,” a team spokesperson remarked. “In recent months, we have extended full cooperation to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida throughout their investigation and appreciate their dedication in this matter. As the charges delineated, this individual held a previous post in financial planning and analysis and misused his trusted role to deceptively and deliberately perpetrate notable fraudulent financial activities detrimental to the team for his personal profit. This party had no access to privileged football strategy, personnel, or other team-specific knowledge. The club enlisted reputable law and accounting entities to undertake a thorough independent assessment, which ascertained that no other team members were complicit in or cognizant of his illicit acts.”
Patel faced charges of wire fraud and unlawful financial transactions, alleging the misappropriation of at least $22,221,454.40 from the Jaguars.
This marks just another series of predicaments that the club has encountered within the previous 48 hours.
During the match against the Bengals on Monday night, Trevor Lawrence swiftly connected with Christian Kirk. Nevertheless, the Jaguars’ premier wide receiver departed the game following his initial catch due to a groin injury and did not re-enter.
Kirk is set to undergo surgery for a core muscle ailment, foreseeing an absence of 6-8 weeks. He might be available for a comeback should the team reach the Super Bowl.
In that same game, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained a high ankle sprain on his right leg against the Bengals, but fortunately escaped a severe injury.
