Former Jets WR Josh Bellamy Arrested & Charged In Alleged $24M Fraud Scheme

The United States Department of Justice announced Thursday that former Jets WR Josh Bellamy has been charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida with wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

Bellamy was arrested Thursday morning is scheduled to appear today in court.

The complaint against Bellamy alleges that he conspired with others to obtain millions of dollars in fraudulent PPP loans using falsified documents.

After submitting the applications, they would work with others on a scheme to submit numerous fraudulent PPP loan applications for confederate loan applicants, in order to receive kickbacks for obtaining the forgivable loans for them.

Bellamy is alleged to have obtained a PPP loan of $1,246,565 for his own company, Drip Entertainment LLC. Of this, Bellamy allegedly purchased over $104,000 in luxury goods using the proceeds of his PPP loan, including purchases at Dior, Gucci, and jewelers.

Beyond that, Bellamy is also alleged to have spent approximately $62,774 in PPP loan proceeds at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and to have withdrawn over $302,000.

According to the release, Bellamy also allegedly sought PPP loans on behalf of his family members and close associates.

Bellamy, 30, originally signed on with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville back in 2012. He had brief stints with the Chargers and Redskins before eventually being claimed off of waivers by the Bears in April of 2014.

Chicago brought Bellamy back on a one-year restricted contract worth $1.907 for the 2018 season. From there, he signed a two-year contract worth up to $7 million with the Jets last year. 

New York released Bellamy from the PUP list earlier this week. 

In 2019, Bellamy appeared in seven games for the Jets and caught two passes for 20 yards receiving and no touchdowns.