JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The sentencing for former Jaguars employee Amit Patel, who confessed to embezzling over $22 million from the team during a three-year period, is scheduled for Tuesday.
Patel, aged 31, faces the possibility of a seven-year federal prison term as demanded by the prosecution. They allege that Patel indulged in a lavish lifestyle with the stolen funds, splurging on private jet trips, a condominium, luxury watches, and Jaguars and sports memorabilia valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
However, Patel’s defense team argues that 99% of the misappropriated funds were used to fuel Patel’s online gambling addiction, for which he is currently undergoing treatment. They presented five potential sentencing scenarios to the judge, three of which propose no prison time, with the most severe suggesting a one-year imprisonment.
Having pleaded guilty to wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions in December, Patel could potentially face a maximum of 30 years in prison.
Prosecutors revealed that Patel spent over $5 million on personal expenses, providing a detailed list of his purchases and vacation photos as evidence.
The prosecution recommended a seven-year sentence, emphasizing the severity of Patel’s crimes and his attempt to shift blame onto the victim. They stated, “Under these circumstances, a lengthy prison sentence is warranted.”
In contrast, Patel’s defense highlighted the adverse impact the incident would have on his future, describing it as a “digital scarlet letter.” They underscored Patel’s lack of a criminal record, citing personal hardships he has endured, including the death of his father and the murder of his uncle.
The defense also disclosed Patel’s prior misuse of company funds for online gambling at a previous job, which he repaid with the help of his brother.
Prosecutors outlined how Patel exploited his position as the administrator of the Jaguars’ virtual credit card program to conduct fraudulent transactions, transferring millions to personal accounts. They criticized Patel for victim-blaming and highlighted his deliberate efforts to conceal the scheme.
Patel’s attorney attributed his actions to a gambling addiction, with reports indicating his significant losses on platforms like FanDuel.
Prosecutors condemned Patel’s attempt to shift responsibility onto the Jaguars, emphasizing his role as a financial professional entrusted with overseeing the credit card program. They characterized Patel’s actions as a betrayal of trust and a calculated scheme to defraud the company over an extended period.