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.
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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