A startling report has surfaced regarding the alleged misappropriation of more than $22 million from the budget of the American football team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, by a former executive. The accused, Amit Patel, of Indian-American descent, previously held the position of Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis for the team.
The allegations of Patel’s purported embezzlement were outlined in court documents filed in the US District Court in Jacksonville, Florida. While the court documents referred to the team as “Business A,” it was later confirmed by The Athletic that the victim of Patel’s alleged actions was the Jacksonville Jaguars.
According to the court filing, Patel, in his role overseeing financial statements and the department’s budget, abused his access to the club’s Virtual Credit Card (VCC) program, which authorized employees used for business-related transactions. Patel reportedly exploited the VCC program by engaging in a scheme involving recurring transactions, such as catering, airfare, and hotel charges. This included the inflation of legitimate transactions, duplication, and entry of fictitious transactions to misappropriate the funds for personal use.
In response to the allegations, the Jacksonville Jaguars issued a statement, asserting that Patel, a former manager of financial planning and analysis, took advantage of his trusted position to commit significant fraudulent financial activity for personal benefit. It was clarified that Patel did not have access to any confidential football strategy, personnel, or other football-related information. The statement also made it clear that no other employee was involved or aware of Patel’s purported fraudulent activities.
Patel is accused of diverting the embezzled funds for various personal indulgences, which included online gambling, purchasing a condominium in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, personal travel on chartered private jets, luxury vehicles, retaining legal services, investments in cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens, high-end electronics, sports memorabilia, and luxury watches.
The embezzlement is reported to have taken place between 2019 and 2023, ultimately leading to Patel’s termination of employment by the team in February 2023. Legal action is now being pursued as Patel faces charges related to the substantial financial misconduct during his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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