Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer
Michael DiRocco, an NFL reporter at ESPN, specializes in covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. With over a decade of experience covering the University of Florida for ESPN.com and Florida Times-Union, DiRocco is a distinguished graduate of Jacksonville University and a recipient of multiple APSE awards. Stay updated on DiRocco’s insights by following him on Twitter at @ESPNdirocco.
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In Jacksonville, Florida, former Jacksonville Jaguars employee Amit Patel allegedly funneled \(22 million, primarily to FanDuel and DraftKings, indulging in a lavish lifestyle that included extravagant purchases such as Tiger Woods’ 1996 putter and private jet expenses totaling \)78,800, as disclosed by federal prosecutors in a recent court filing.
The court document also reveals that Patel allocated \(275,000 towards legal representation by attorney Alex King, countering King’s claim that the majority of the misappropriated funds were used to settle gambling debts. Instead, a substantial \)5 million was reportedly spent on personal indulgences.
Apart from transferring \(20 million to FanDuel and \)1 million to DraftKings, Patel purportedly splurged the remaining embezzled funds on various expenditures, including significant sums at Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy, as well as transferring $5 million from his online gaming accounts to personal accounts like PayPal for miscellaneous purchases.
Despite being terminated by the Jaguars in February 2023, Patel allegedly continued to dissipate the stolen funds, maintaining expenses such as country club dues and acquiring items like a game-worn jersey on eBay shortly after being charged and prior to entering a guilty plea.
Prosecutors further highlighted Patel’s extravagant spending on events like Formula One’s Miami Grand Prix, the Jaguars’ international games, and the prestigious 2023 Pegasus World Cup, alongside a detailed breakdown of his lavish purchases, which include:
- Over $278,000 on accommodations, rentals, and travel, including substantial sums on private jet charters
- Expenditure exceeding $200,000 on golf memorabilia, notably acquiring Tiger Woods’ 1996 U.S. Amateur Champion Scotty Cameron putter
- Luxurious spending at the Ponte Vedra Beach Inn & Club, totaling over $77,000, encompassing initiation fees and spa treatments
- Significant transactions on eBay, Ticketmaster, and various airlines for travel
- Expenses with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jaguars Pro Shop, and stadium-related purchases
Federal prosecutors are advocating for an eight-year prison term for Patel, who faced severe charges of wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions, with a potential 30-year imprisonment and a $500,000 fine. The sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, following the denial of King’s plea to present a virtual testimony by Dr. Scott Teitelbaum, an expert in gambling addiction who treated Patel.