The Jacksonville Jaguars are suing a former employee who stole $22.2m from the organization to fund his gambling addiction. Amit Patel worked as the overseer of the NFL franchise’s virtual credit card program before the embezzlement came to light. As the Jaguars filed the lawsuit in a Florida court, the franchise can seek up to treble the damages.

Patel already pled guilty in December to stealing the money over the course of three and a half years, with most of the money going towards gambling debts and living a luxury lifestyle. He spent approximately $20m with FanDuel, so the Jaguars have sought reimbursement of this money from the operator.

currently serving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence

He took $20m of the funds in an eight-month period before the authorities discovered his actions in February 2023. They uncovered his operation after he placed a bet that was flagged for violating Kansas state law and the NFL gambling policy. The defendant is currently serving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence in South Carolina.

The lawsuit claims that Patel committed civil theft, breached his fiduciary duty, and engaged in fraudulent misrepresentation. If the complaint is successful, the Jaguars could seize assets that the defendant acquired through illegal means to try to make sure it receives adequate compensation.