Team asks FanDuel to return money stolen by Jaguars employee

Team asks FanDuel to return money stolen by Jaguars employee

The modern world of sports betting and bookmakers is a huge and dynamic market that attracts the attention of millions of people around the world. But what happens when sports betting becomes the subject of criminal activity? This is what became known in connection with the story that happened with the Jacksonville Jaguars, when a former employee of the team stole huge amounts of money and lost it all on betting.

Patel admitted to stealing the money

Patel, a former team employee, was at the center of a scandalous fraud and misuse of funds case. The court found him guilty of stealing $22 million from a virtual credit card from the Jaguars, where he worked in the finance department from 2018 through 2023.

The stolen cash went toward impressive expenses, including buying a condominium in Ponte Vedra, a Tesla car and a $95,000 watch, and betting on sports. He lost $20 million in stolen funds in daily wagers on the FanDuel site, and another $1 million on DraftKings. The investigation does not specify whether Patel played other gambling games. But some casinos, which can be found at topcadcasinos.net, do not provide customer data. The fact is that casinos for Canadian dollars are subject to other jurisdictions. Perhaps this is exactly what Patel was counting on.

Amit Patel – who is he?

A regular member of the Jaguars’ finance department, Amit Patel caught the eye after his name became the center of discussion in connection with the theft of $22 million from the team’s virtual credit card. According to press credentials, Patel, a 31-year-old financier, has been with the Jaguars for about five seasons, starting in 2018. During that time, he was able to advance through the ranks and become a mid-level financial manager as early as 2019.

However, the successful career was short-lived as Patel left the position in February 2023. According to the case summaries, he was charged with large-scale fraud and abuse of trust granted to him in the finance department. The court found him guilty of using electronic communications for illegal financial transactions and stealing money from the Jaguars.

What the stolen money was used for

Former Jacksonville Jaguars employee Amit Patel, 31, used the stolen funds to finance various luxury purchases and unusual hobbies. He purchased a 2021 Tesla Model 3 worth $40,625, as well as a Nissan pickup truck.

His shopping list also included a country club membership as well as a two-bedroom condominium in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, which is valued at more than $265,000, according to documents. He also didn’t skimp on personal travel, chartering private jets and booking luxury hotels and private residences for himself and his friends.

One of Patel’s most impressive purchases was a $95,484.15 Patek Philippe Nautilus watch. Equally impressive was the fact of fees at a criminal law firm, suggesting that the funds were used not only for luxury goods but also for legal fees.

What’s in store for Patel

Amit Patel, 31, found himself in the spotlight in federal court in Jacksonville after he pleaded guilty to illegal money transactions over a five-year period. According to the information, he faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, and full forfeiture of assets including a condominium, a Tesla Model 3, and even a luxury Nautilus watch.