A former Jacksonville Jaguars employee recently pleaded guilty to stealing $22 million from the team. He reportedly used most of it for gambling.
Now, FanDuel, the online sportsbook where the money was wagered and lost, reportedly has no intention of returning the money to the team.
Amit Patel, who was first hired by the team in 2018, abused the team’s credit card program and used the money to buy two cars, a condo, a $100,000 watch, sports memorabilia, country club memberships and concert tickets. , and other personal expenses allegedly purchased such as spa treatments.
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Jacksonville Jaguars logo on the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. 50 yard line. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Ms Patel’s lawyer, Alex King, said Ms Patel did not use the money to live a lavish lifestyle, but rather in a “grossly misguided effort to repay previous gambling losses”. Ta. King said Patel suffers from a “gambling disorder” and is receiving treatment.
Patel, described as the “biggest loser in FanDuel history” and a “legendarily bad” bettor, lost $20 million on daily fantasy and other bets through the sportsbook, with all of that money received through his team’s VCC. It has been reported.
FanDuel and the Jaguars did not respond to requests for comment.However, ESPN reports that the Jaguars and NFL We are working on “reconciliation”. A source told ESPN that FanDuel “received the money fairly and clearly. It’s not our problem to have to forfeit it and give it back to you.”
Back in December, the team said it was working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
Jacksonville Jaguars helmets on the field during training camp at Miller Electric Center on July 28, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
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“As the charges reveal, this individual is a former manager of financial planning and analysis who used his position of trust to commit significant fraudulent financial activities at the expense of his team for personal gain. This was done secretly and deliberately,” the team said in a statement. time.
Mr. Patel concealed his transactions by “repeating VCC transactions such as catering, airfare, and hotel charges, and duplicating those transactions” and “inflating the amounts of legitimate, recurring transactions.” was completed.
The team announced last year that Patel had been fired and charged with one count each of wire fraud and illegal financial transactions.
Miller Electric Center, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new training facility, during training camp at Miller Electric Center on July 26, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Past media guides say Patel was the financial planning and analysis coordinator and then manager.
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