American football wide receiver Josh Bellamy has been arrested for allegedly using government funds intended to be used to support businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The former New York Jets star is said to have been involved in a scheme that saw him and his conspirators squander $24 million.
The 31-year-old and his cohorts reportedly applied for the money in PPP loans, originally meant for businesses that were sinking as a result of the pandemic.
According to the prosecutor, Bellamy and his colleagues didn’t put the money in their businesses despite applying for it.
The prosecutor said they rather blew it on luxury stuff like custom jewelry, designer clothes, and casino trips.
New York Jets player Josh Bellamy has been charged in connection to an alleged $24 million PPP loan scheme to defraud the COVID-19 relief program, according to officials. Blew the money on Gucci, Casino Trips & Jewelry pic.twitter.com/prbPhzpLhl
— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) September 10, 2020
Bellamy is alleged to have spent a whopping $95k on custom jewelry, $5,381 at Gucci, and $2,014 at Dior.
TMZ Sports reports that Bellamy and his co-conspirators received roughly $17.4 million in PPP loans.
The free agent is also said to have requested for the PPP loans for his own company based on false records.
On Thursday, the Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt told reporters: “The PPP program represented critical help at a critical time. Unfortunately, the crisis brings out not only those that try to help others but those who try to take advantage of the crisis for personal gain.”
