Former NFL WR Josh Bellamy Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Covid-19 Relief Fraud

Ex-NFL receiver Josh Bellamy has been sentenced to three years and one month in prison for illegally obtaining and using $1.2 million in Covid-19 relief funds meant for his small business for personal use.

Bellamy used falsified documents to receive a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for his company, Drip Entertainement LLC. He used the funds on jewelry, hotel stays and at casinos. He tried to get loans for family and friends as well. In addition to his three-year sentence, Bellamy will be required to pay $1,246,565 in restitution.

He also had a co-conspirator, an alleged James Stote, who he paid more than $311,000 to serve “as a kickback for his assistance in preparing and submitting the fraudulent loan application.”

Stote was involved in other schemes, too. A Florida woman, Yashica Bain, was also sentenced in relation to wire fraud with help from Stote. She obtained a PPP loan worth $415,232 for her company, Microblading Brow Studio LLC. She will spend two years in prison and will also pay restitution. Stote made off with over $28,000 in her case. Stote was charged for wire and bank fraud in June 2020, but his case is still pending.

Bellamy was originally arrested in September 2020, just days after being released by the New York Jets after spending time on their reserve/physically unable to perform list. He had spent just one season with them.

Bellamy is best known for his five seasons with the Chicago Bears. Over his career, he pulled in 78 receptions for 1,019 yards and five touchdowns. He played college football at Lousiville, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and spent time with the Washington Football Team.