Josh Bellamy faces charges for allegedly playing a role in COVID-relief fraud

On Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department announced the arrest of Joshua Bellamy. The announcement revealed that the football player was charged for playing an alleged role in a COVID-relief related fraud scheme to receive loans intended for COVID-relief, according to YahooSports.com.

Bellamy has been accused by the Justice Department for receiving a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of more than $1.2 million which was assumed to be for his company, Drip Entertainment, LLC.

According to the reports, the player allegedly spent more than $104,000 on luxury goods, including the purchase of top designer wears and jewelry. He was also accused of spending $62,000 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Records show that he withdrew more than $302,000.

The allegations also stated that Bellamy secured PPP loans on behalf of family and friends, naming 10 other people under him and totaling the loans to $24 million.

Earlier this year when the coronavirus first broke out, the United States government enacted the CARES Act to provide relief and emergency financial aid to citizens and businesses amid the pandemic, authorizing up to $348 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses. These forgivable loans were given through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at low-interest rates, as businesses were required to use the loans to settle payroll, rent, utilities, as well as interest on mortgages.

However, Bellamy and his companions took advantage of the COVID-relief opportunity to earn a few millions for personal interests.

Josh Bellamy is a professional NFL player, He got into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and played a total of eight seasons with the Chiefs, Bear, and Jets. Last season, he caught two passes for 20 yards in seven games with the Jets.