Former Jaguars Executive Drops Lawsuits Against Fox and Boyd Gaming
Amit Patel, the former finance manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars who embezzled over $22 million from the NFL franchise, has voluntarily withdrawn his lawsuits against Fox Corporation and Boyd Gaming. However, his legal claims against FanDuel and its parent company, Flutter Entertainment, remain active.
Allegations of Exploiting Gambling Addiction
In a lawsuit filed in October 2024, Patel accused Fox Corporation, Boyd Gaming, and other entities—including FanDuel and Flutter Entertainment—of exploiting his gambling addiction. Patel claimed that the defendants “actively and intentionally targeted and preyed upon” him, which he alleges contributed to his misappropriation of the Jaguars’ funds.
Patel’s case focused on allegations that the companies used incentives to encourage excessive gambling behavior. Court documents reveal that Patel funneled millions of dollars into daily fantasy sports (DFS) entries on FanDuel, financed through a virtual credit card belonging to the Jaguars. He also used the stolen money to support a lavish lifestyle, purchasing luxury items and vacations.
Legal Updates
Court filings submitted last week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York show that Patel dropped the lawsuits against Fox Corporation and Boyd Gaming without prejudice. This means he retains the right to bring similar claims against these parties in the future. Neither Fox nor Boyd has issued public statements regarding the case’s dismissal.
The lawsuits against FanDuel and Flutter Entertainment are still pending. However, court records indicate that Patel has not served the complaint or taken further legal action against these entities. U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick has given Patel a deadline of January 9, 2025, to either file for a default judgment against FanDuel and Flutter or justify continuing the case. If Patel fails to act, the court may dismiss the lawsuit entirely.
Background on the Embezzlement
Patel’s fraudulent activities, which totaled more than $22 million, were uncovered after he misused the Jaguars’ funds for personal gain.
He relied on a virtual credit card issued by the team to finance high-stakes DFS entries and extravagant personal expenses. This breach of trust not only damaged the franchise financially but also exposed vulnerabilities in corporate oversight.
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