A former Jaguars staffer is accused of stealing $22 million from the organization.
No, it isn’t Blake Bortles.
According to TheAthletic.com, former Jaguars front-office employee Amit Patel allegedly stole from the team by “exploiting the organization’s virtual credit card program.” Patel is accused of using the funds to purchase two vehicles, a condominium, and a fancy watch, among other things. He allegedly also bought bitcoin, bet on online gambling sites, and rented personal jets.
“We can confirm that in February 2The Jaguars were not named in the federal filing, but Patel is accused of stealing from the franchise, according to the Jaguars.””On February 23, the team terminated the employment of the individual named in the filing,” the team said in a statement, according to TheAthlete. “Over the past several months, we have fully cooperated with the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida in their investigation, and we appreciate their efforts in this case.”
As stated in the allegations, this guy was a former financial planning and analysis manager who used his trusted position to covertly and purposefully perpetrate massive fraudulent financial behavior at the expense of the team for personal gain. This person had no access to sensitive football strategy, personnel, or other football information. The team hired seasoned law and accounting companies to undertake a thorough independent investigation, which established that no other team members were involved in or were aware of his criminal actions.”
Patel was charged with wire fraud and illicit monetary transactions on one count each. He is suspected of robbing the Jaguars of at least $22,221,454.40.
