Posted on Jul 18
Jacksonville Jaguars file lawsuit against former employee who stole $22 million: "Seeking $66.6 million in damages
u/alex •
JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken legal action against their former employee, Amit Patel, who admitted to embezzling $22 million from the team. Patel, who was responsible for managing the team's virtual credit card program, pleaded guilty in federal court to using the stolen funds to settle his gambling debts and support a lavish lifestyle. The Jaguars have filed a lawsuit seeking $66.6 million in damages, citing fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and civil theft.
Court documents reveal that Patel managed to siphon off $20 million from the team within a mere eight months. His illicit activities came to light in February 2023 when he violated both state law and the NFL's gambling policy by placing a sports bet in Kansas. Further investigation revealed that Patel had transferred $20 million to FanDuel and $1 million to DraftKings, platforms where he was an active high-volume, high-stakes daily fantasy sports player.
The extent of Patel's misuse of the stolen funds became apparent as he indulged in personal purchases. He utilized $5 million from his FanDuel and DraftKings accounts for various personal expenses, including acquiring Tiger Woods' iconic 1996 putter and spending $78,800 on private jet charters.
In response to the embezzlement scheme, the Jacksonville Jaguars have taken decisive action by pursuing a civil lawsuit against Amit Patel. While Patel has already pleaded guilty in a criminal case and is currently serving a 6½-year sentence at Williamsburg federal prison, the civil suit allows the team more flexibility in recovering the stolen funds without solely relying on the federal government.
The Jaguars' lawsuit carries significant implications for Patel's assets. Florida law permits plaintiffs to recover up to three times the amount of actual damages, potentially enabling the team to seize assets obtained by Patel legally. By seeking $66.6 million in damages, the Jaguars are actively working towards compensating for the financial losses incurred due to Patel's actions.
Recognizing that Patel had transferred a significant portion of the stolen funds to FanDuel, the Jacksonville Jaguars have approached the popular sports betting platform, requesting reimbursement for some or all of the $20 million. This strategic move aims to explore additional avenues for recovering the embezzled funds and holding all parties involved accountable.
Legal experts express confidence in the Jaguars' civil suit against Amit Patel, given the lower burden of proof compared to a criminal case where Patel has already pleaded guilty. Negin Kordbacheh, an attorney specializing in financial crimes, explains, "[A] civil lawsuit allows the victim to control the litigation process... There's also asset recovery. They can garnish wages, seize assets, et cetera. These are obviously tools that are very important for making sure that the victim receives full compensation."
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Jacksonville Jaguars remain committed to pursuing justice and ensuring the recovery of the stolen funds to mitigate the financial impact of Patel's fraudulent actions.