Illegal Reception - Former NFL Wide Receiver Receives Fraudulent PPP Loans

Joshua J. Bellamy, former New York Jets wide receiver, was charged in 2020 for his alleged participation in conspiring to obtain millions of dollars from fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans.

Through his company, Drip Entertainment LLC, Bellamy is purported to have obtained a PPP loan for over $1.2 million. It is believed that he used the loan proceeds to purchase luxury items and partake in other excess spending.

In addition to receiving his own PPP loan, Bellamy worked with other conspirators to refer others to the scheme, draft fabricated documents and collect a percentage of the kickback monies received. The fraudulent scheme consisted of at least 90 false PPP loan applications encompassing more than $24 million in loans applied for, of which approximately $17.4 million were paid.

Bellamy pleaded not guilty to the charges of wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. The case is currently pending. 

If you have any questions regarding potential fraud schemes, contact Tom Pratt at [email protected] or Brian Webster at [email protected].

This article is part of series highlighting fraud from the professional sporting world in support of  the Association of Certified Fraud Examiner's (ACFE) annual International Fraud Awareness Week. We invite you to read our other articles at the links below.

About International Fraud Awareness Week

ACFE's International Fraud Awareness Week is an opportunity for anti-fraud professionals and communities to come together to look at how far reaching the effects of fraud can be. Check out our Schneider Downs Business Consulting LinkedIn page throughout the week for additional information from the ACFE.

ACFE International Fraud Week Resources

About Schneider Downs Business Consultants

Schneider Downs Business Consultants leverages our experience and industry expertise to maximize value and minimize risk during acquisitions, litigation, arbitration, corporate reorganization and other major business transactions and transitions.

Learn more at www.schneiderdowns.com/business-advisory-services.

You’ve heard our thoughts… We’d like to hear yours

The Schneider Downs Our Thoughts On blog exists to create a dialogue on issues that are important to organizations and individuals. While we enjoy sharing our ideas and insights, we’re especially interested in what you may have to say. If you have a question or a comment about this article – or any article from the Our Thoughts On blog – we hope you’ll share it with us. After all, a dialogue is an exchange of ideas, and we’d like to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].

Material discussed is meant for informational purposes only, and it is not to be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, this information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice.

© 2024 Schneider Downs. All rights-reserved. All content on this site is property of Schneider Downs unless otherwise noted and should not be used without written permission.

our thoughts on
Defend Your Dollars and Data: How to Avoid IRS Impersonation Scams
Frauds of the Rich and the Famous: The Star-studded Saga of Jennifer Shah
Frauds of the Rich and Famous: The FTX Collapse and the Chrisleys
Frauds of the Rich and Famous: Billy McFarland and The Fyre Festival
Fraud Week 2023: Frauds of the Rich and the Famous
Prevention and Detection – Key Methods to Protect Against Identity Fraud
Register to receive our weekly newsletter with our most recent columns and insights.
Have a question? Ask us!

We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a note, and we’ll respond to you as quickly as possible.

Ask us
contact us
Pittsburgh

This site uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best user experience. Cookies assist in navigation, analyzing traffic and in our marketing efforts as described in our Privacy Policy.

×