JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — “It was my dream job, my job was something I loved,” former Jaguars Employee, Amit Patel, said to the court just moments before Judge Adams sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison.
Patel was found guilty of federal charges of wire fraud and engaging in illegal monetary actions.
He stole $22 million from 2019 to 2023 from the Jacksonville Jaguars, disguising his extravagant purchases and sports betting as fake transactions on the monthly expense report.
Patel started embezzling funds just after his first year working as an administrator for the Jaguars' virtual credit card program.
“I'm embarrassed, ashamed, and disappointed by my actions,” Patel mentioned. "In the end I thought the next big win was around the corner, and it would solve all my issues,” he added.
After he finishes his 78-month-long sentence in federal prison, Patel will be on supervised release for two years. He is mandated to enroll in a substance abuse program, seek mental health treatment, and be prohibited from any gambling facility or activities.
He is ordered to pay back $21,132, 454.40 to the Jags, required to pay at least $250 once he's on parole, and 50% of his monthly salary if he is able to find employment.
FBI Jacksonville released a statement following the sentencing of Amit Patel:
"This case exemplifies the FBI's relentless effort to protect American companies and their customers. Amit Patel knowingly and wittingly created a deceptive scheme to fund a lavish lifestyle at his employer's expense, and today's sentencing is a warning to other scam artists: the FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue corporate fraud investigations to protect consumers from bearing the costs associated with criminal activity." – Mark Dargis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division
The FBI did an extensive investigation into Patel's personal financial history, along with reviewing every item he purchased with the Jags business credit cards. They found that Patel also embezzled funds from his previous employer.
The Jacksonville Jaguars representative, Megha Parekh, said on the stand, "he was our teammate and he betrayed us,” as they are still dealing with the repercussions of Patel's actions today.