Coronavirus: Former NY Jets player Josh Bellamy indicted for PPP loan fraud

Former New York Jets wide receiver Josh Bellamy is accused of participating in a scheme to fraudulently receive coronavirus relief loans, the U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday.

In a criminal complaint released Thursday by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Bellamy, 31, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, attempt and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. According to the criminal complaint, the fraud occurred this year between May 21 and Aug. 3.

According to the complaint, Bellamy allegedly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program loan of $1,246,565 for his company, Drip Entertainment LLC. He then used the money to purchase more than $104,000 in luxury goods, the Justice Department said.

According to the complaint, Bellamy on June 2 allegedly sent a wire transfer of $57,000 to a custom jewelry store. The following day, he allegedly sent a $38,000 wire transfer to another jewelry store. According to bank records, on June 8, Bellamy bought $5,381.60 in goods at a Gucci store and $1,020.98 at a Milano Exchange store. On June 14, Bellamy spent $2,014.80, the Justice Department alleged.

In addition to the luxury goods, the complaint alleges that Bellamy withdrew more than $302,000 in fraudulent funds and attempted to secure PPP loans on behalf of family members and business associates. Those withdrawals occurred between May 28 and July 28, the Justice Department said.

Prosecutors also said Bellamy spent $62,774 in loan proceeds at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

According to the Justice Department, Bellamy was part of a scheme in which participants planned or prepared at least 90 fraudulent application. The total amount of loans applied for exceeded $24 million, the complaint said.

The Jets released Bellamy from the reserve/physically unable to perform list on Tuesday. His release had been expected because of a shoulder injury that prevented him from playing during the 2020 season, NJ.com reported.

Cox Media Group