New details have emerged around the former Jacksonville Jaguars employee who allegedly stole millions from the team to cover his daily fantasy sports addiction.
Attorney Alex King had previously claimed that “approximately 99%” of the $22 million his client Amit Patel embezzled was used to fund losses on DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy sports apps.
In new court filing, first reported by ESPN, federal prosecutors say Patel spent an extra $5 million on a “life of luxury”, including a Tiger Woods putter and $78,800 in private jet charters.
That would make the percentage of funds Patel used on DFS approximately 77%.
Documents detail spending beyond DFS
Notable purchases Patel is accused of funding with the team’s virtual credit card:
- $2.1 million in cryptocurrency
- $275,000 on his lawyer, Alex King
- $200,000 on hotels and rental properties
- $200,000 on golf memorabilia, including a $47,113 Tiger Wood’s U.S. Amateur Champion Scotty Cameron gifted putter
- $140,412.97 on eBay, inclined a $2,200 game-used Trevor Lawrence jersey
- $78,800 on private jet charters
- $9,477 spent with the Jacksonville Jaguars, at the Jaguars Pro Shop, EverBank Stadium and stadium club
‘He lived it up’
King and a representative from the US Attorney’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
“The defendant was a trusted and valued member of Jaguars organization. He betrayed that trust and stole over $22 million through hundreds of fraudulent transactions, which he skillfully concealed for over three years.
“He did not need that money. He did not use it to feed his family or care for sick loved ones. He did not donate the loot to a charity or use it to perform good works. He had fun with it. He lived it up – gambling, traveling, and shopping. Under these circumstances, a lengthy prison sentence is warranted,” prosecutors said in the sentencing memo.
Court denies daily fantasy sports addiction expert
Earlier in the week, a judge declined King’s petition to permit gambling addiction specialist Dr. Scott Teitelbaum, who has treated Patel, to testify remotely during the sentencing proceedings.
Court filings detail over $20 million Patel allegedly spent on FanDuel and an extra $1.8 million on DraftKings.
Federal prosecutors are seeking a seven-year prison sentence for Patel, who pleaded guilty to felony charges of wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction in December. Those charges hold a maximum sentence of 30 years and a $500,000 fine.
Patel will be sentenced on Tuesday.