Former Jaguars Financial Manager Pleads Guilty to Stealing $22M

Amit Patel faces up to 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, and is required to provide restitution to the team.

Amit Patel, a former financial manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction, admitting to stealing over $22 million from the NFL franchise through its virtual credit card program between 2019 and 2023.
Patel faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and up to a $500,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, he will forfeit property and assets funded with the stolen money and will be required to provide restitution to the team.
Patel's attorney, Alex King, revealed that Patel had gambled away 'approximately 99%' of the misappropriated money and is undergoing weekly treatment for a gambling addiction.
Patel used the stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including the purchase of a condominium in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, a Tesla Model 3 sedan, cryptocurrency, chartering private jets, luxury hotel stays, a country club membership, and luxury wristwatches.
The Jaguars have since instituted more checks and balances to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The team insists Patel was a rogue employee who took advantage of a lack of oversight.