Amit Patel, the former Jacksonville Jaguars employee who allegedly stole over $22m from the team, did it because of a gambling addiction, this according to his lawyer. In a statement on Thursday, Patel’s attorney Alex King said Patel “used VCC (virtual credit card) funds to gamble on Daily Fantasy Sports” on FanDuel and DraftKings.
King said that “99% of the misappropriated funds” had to do with gambling and that the steepest gambling losses came in the months leading up to the NFL’s investigation. Patel has reportedly been in gambling addiction treatment since the spring.
regrets his actions which have resulted in him both losing his dream job and damaging the organization”
“Mr. Patel is deeply remorseful and apologizes for his conduct,” King said. “He loved working for the Jacksonville Jaguars and regrets his actions which have resulted in him both losing his dream job and damaging the organization. Mr. Patel remains in treatment and intends to seek ongoing treatment for the foreseeable future.”
King called Patel’s scheme to use the Jaguars’ VCC system to fund his addiction “horribly misguided,” but noted that “Mr. Patel did not use the Jaguars’ VCC to fund his lifestyle.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida begs to differ. While it certainly acknowledges that Patel used part of the money to gamble, the USAO also says that Patel spent money on a Florida condo, private jets and luxury hotels, multiple vehicles, cryptocurrency, wristwatches, a country club membership, and more.