The United States Department of Justice announced Thursday that former Jets wide receiver Josh Bellamy has been charged for his role in a $24 million COVID-relief fraud scheme.
Bellamy, who was cut by the Jets on Tuesday after being placed on the Reserve/PUP list in May, was arrested Thursday morning on charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.
According to the Department of Justice's release, Bellamy conspired with others to obtain millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Bellamy is said to have obtained a loan of over $1.2 million for his company Drip Entertainment LLC and purchased over $104,000 worth of luxury items while spending nearly $63,000 of the loans at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Ten other defendants were named in the fraud scheme by the DOJ, who also claim that the 31-year-old Bellamy sought loans on behalf of family members and others close to him.
Bellamy, who caught just two passes for 20 yards in 2019 (his only season with the Jets), is set to appear in court on Thursday.