Former NFL Player Josh Bellamy Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for $1.2 Million PPP Scam

Former NFL player Josh Bellamy was sentenced to more than three years in prison for fraudulently obtaining $1.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. 

32-year-old Bellamy was granted the loan for his Drip Entertainment LLC through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. According to a Department of Justice press release, he paid his co-conspirator, James Stote, $311,000 to prepare the fraudulent loan application. 

The former wide receiver admitted to spending the money on personal items, such as jewelry and a visit to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

In addition to his loan, he helped secure PPP loans for family members and friends.

On June 9, Bellamy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The former football player was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison on Friday, with three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,246,565 in restitution and $1,246,565 in forfeiture.

Bellamy was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012. He played in the NFL for eight seasons. He last played ball for the New York Jets in 2019.