Former Jaguars employee is accused of stealing more than $22MILLION from the NFL team and using it to buy a Tesla, $95,000 watch and charter private jets

A former financial manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars has been accused of stealing more than $22 million from the franchise through its virtual credit card program between 2019 and 2023, according to a seven-page lawsuit.

Amit Patel, who worked for the Jaguars for five years beginning in 2018, is charged with one count of bank fraud and one count of illegal monetary transactions in documents filed in U.S. District Court in Jacksonville.

If convicted, he could be required to forfeit property and assets he purchased or financed with the proceeds, the filing said.

A statement from the Jaguars confirmed they are “Company A,” referred to in the documents as the victim.

“We can confirm that the team terminated the employment of the individual named in the application in February 2023,” the team said in a statement.

A former financial manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars has been accused of stealing more than $22 million from the franchise

He bought a condominium in nearby Ponte Vedra beach, a designer watch for $95,000, cryptocurrency and placed bets on online gambling sites

“Over the past several months, we have cooperated fully with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida during their investigation and thank them for their efforts in this case.

“As made clear in the indictment, this individual was a former financial planning and analysis manager who abused his trusted position to covertly and deliberately engage in significant fraudulent financial activity at the expense of the team for personal gain.

'This individual had no access to confidential football strategy, personnel or other football information. The team engaged experienced law and accounting firms to conduct a comprehensive, independent investigation, which revealed that no other team employees were involved in or aware of his criminal activities.”

The Athletic first reported the filling of the court.

Patel is accused of using the money to buy two vehicles – a Tesla and Nissan pickup – a condominium in nearby Ponte Vedra beach, a designer watch for $95,000, cryptocurrency and placing bets on online gambling sites, the filing said.

The Jaguars are owned by billionaire Shahid Khan (right) and are in the playoffs this year

He also allegedly used the money to buy sports memorabilia, a country club membership, spa treatments and tickets to sporting events and concerts. And he chartered private jets for himself and friends and filed a retainer with a criminal law firm.

Patel's attorney did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Patel is listed in the 2018-2022 Jaguars media guides. His titles during those years were financial planning and analysis coordinator, and then financial planning and analysis manager.

Patel oversaw the company's monthly financial statements and department budgets and served as administrator of the club's virtual credit card program, which allowed authorized employees to “request VCCs for company-related purchases or expenses,” according to the documents.

Patel's authority over the VCC program allowed him to carry out the fraudulent transactions, the filing said.

He allegedly duplicated and inflated transactions for items such as catering, airline tickets and hotel costs and submitted false transactions that appeared legitimate.