Ex-Jets wide receiver sentenced to 3 years in prison for COVID relief fraud

Ex-Jets WR Josh Bellamy was sentenced to 3 years in prison for illegally acquiring loans meant to help businesses during the pandemic

A Florida federal court sentenced former Jets wide receiver Josh Bellamy to 37 months in prison on Friday for illegally acquiring $1.2 million in loans meant to help struggling businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Associated Press.

Bellamy’s sentencing comes 15 months after he was arrested for his role in a larger fraud scheme. The Jets released the receiver a day before his arrest, but had no knowledge of Bellamy’s off-field transgressions, per an ESPN report from 2020. Bellamy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud this past June.

Court records claim Bellamy received a $1.2 million Paycheck Protection Program loan for his company, Drip Entertainment LLC, with falsified documents. He then used the money on items for himself and allegedly spent more than $100,000 of his PPP money at Dior, Gucci and jewelry stores, as well as at least $362,000 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Bellamy played eight seasons in the NFL, including one year with the Jets in 2019. He only caught two receptions for 20 yards in seven games that season but also played special teams. New York placed him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list before the 2020 season and released him soon after. Bellamy spent five seasons with the Bears, one with Washington and one with the Chiefs prior to joining the Jets.

[listicle id=673447]

Former NFL WR Josh Bellamy charged in massive COVID-19 relief scam

Former Bear and Jet WR Josh Bellamy has been charged in a massive fraud scheme involving COVID-19 relief.

Josh Bellamy, a wide receiver who was with four teams from 2012-19 and was released by the New York Jets Tuesday, was one of 50 people across 16 states charged Thursday with attempting to defraud the government out of up to $175 million in COVID-19 relief money.

Bellamy’s alleged role in the scheme saw the former Chicago Bear and Jet obtain a loan worth more than $1.24 million from the Paycheck Protection Program for a company called Drip Entertainment LLC (a Florida company). The loans were designed to help small businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic for specific purposes.

Bellamy, who also spent time early in his career with Kansas City and Washington, is alleged in the complaint to have deposited the money into his personal bank account, which at the time had $2.51. In a three-month span this spring and summer, the complaint alleges Bellamy withdrew more than $302,000, spending $104,000 on luxury goods and jewelry and another $62,774 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida.

Bellamy was charged in a federal criminal complaint with fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

Per the Tampa Bay Tribune:

Bellamy also was involved in the preparation of at least 90 fraudulent applications for friends and family, the complaint says. Those loans were worth as much as $24 million; at least $17.4 million worth were approved. Ten other co-conspirators were charged in the alleged scheme.

According to the complaint, an undercover agent posing as a potential loan partner, asked Bellamy how many employees he had. “I got as many employees as I want,” the complaint quotes Bellamy.

Bellamy, 31, had 78 catches for 999 yards and five touchdowns in his career. All but two of the receptions came as a Bear. He was born in St. Petersburg, Fl, and played college ball at Louisville.

Ex-Jets WR Josh Bellamy arrested, charged in $24 million COVID-19 relief scam

The former Jets wideout allegedly acquired more than $1.2 million in illegal money meant for small businesses hurting from the pandemic.

On Aug. 3, former Jets receiver Josh Bellamy tweeted he needed to “hustle a lil harder.” Well, it turns out he hustled too hard, so much so that the Department of Justice took notice.

A Justice Department release claims Bellamy participated in a $24 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme in which he illegally acquired $1.2 million from a loan program meant to help small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. Bellamy was charged with and arrested for wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud on Thursday morning by the Southern District of Florida.

The Jets released Bellamy from the Reserve/PUP list on Wednesday but were unaware of his role in the scheme at the time, per ESPN.

Bellamy allegedly received the money after acquiring a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program Loan for his company, Drip Entertainment LLC, but used it on luxury items, hotels and casino withdrawals. According to the Justice Department, Bellamy spent more than $100,000 of his PPP money at Dior, Gucci and jewelry stores and more than $362,000 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The suit alleges Bellamy also tried to earn loans for family members and other associates as part of a bigger scheme that involved at least 90 fraudulent applications and 10 other individuals.

The PPP loans are designed to give emergency financial relief to small businesses reeling from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants are only allowed to use the money for payroll, mortgage interests, rent and utilities and are 100 percent forgivable if used during a designated time.

Per the release, Bellamy appeared before the U.S. Magistrate court in the Middle District of Florida Thursday afternoon.

Bellamy mostly played special teams in his lone season in New York before being released. Prior to that, he spent five seasons with the Bears.

Updated look at Jets’ wide receiver depth chart following Quincy Enunwa, Josh Bellamy injuries

Here is an updated look at Jets’ wide receiver depth chart following season-ending injuries to Quincy Enunwa and Josh Bellamy.

The Jets’ wide receiver room is starting to take more shape after the team announced that both Quincy Enunwa and Josh Bellamy are out for the 2020 season with significant injuries.

This was the expected move for Enunwa, who essentially missed two of the past three seasons dealing with neck injuries. He was only able to play one game last year after signing a four-year extension; this could be the end of the road for him. On the other hand, Bellamy appeared to be a likely cap casualty — saving the Jets $2.3 million without absorbing dead cap — after a shoulder injury ended his 2019. Bellamy only recorded two receptions in seven games last season but was a core member of the Jets’ special teams units when active.

Here is the Jets’ current wide receiver depth chart:

Starters: Breshad Perriman, Denzel Mims, Jamison Crowder

Backups: Vyncint Smith, Braxton Berrios, Jehu Chesson, Josh Doctson, Josh Malone, Jeff Smith, Lawrence Cager, George Campbell

The two blows to the Jets’ receiving corps are mitigated by New York’s decisions to sign Perriman after losing Robby Anderson and to draft Mims with a premium choice. With Crowder returning as the Jets’ primary slot receiver, he is the most-tenured wide receiver on the team’s depth chart.

Mims and Perriman are likely to make an instant impact for Sam Darnold and the Jets, using a combination of speed and playmaking ability to move the chains. While the Jets haven’t done all they can to ensure Darnold will have skill players capable of elevating his play, they have added a few who can certainly contribute. The problem that lies at the position is the Jets’ lack of depth; currently the third-best outside wide receiver is a toss-up between Smith and Doctson. Neither has the credentials to be relied upon come the start of the regular season. Beyond them is a ton of inexperience.

With the NFL season still on-track, the Jets will have the opportunity to add more depth between trades, free-agent signings and bringing in any players who may shake loose during training camp. New York may reek of desperation, but it still has an opportunity to add free agents such as Taylor Gabriel, Johnny Holton or Demaryius Thomas while monitoring what happens with the Alshon Jeffrey situation in Philadelphia.

Jets WRs Quincy Enunwa, Josh Bellamy to miss 2020 season

Both Quincy Enunwa and Josh Bellamy are out for the year after being placed on the season-ending physically unable to perform list.

The injury bug that repeatedly bit the Jets in 2019 is still going strong in the new league year.

According to multiple reports, the Jets have placed wide receivers Quincy Enunwa (neck) and Josh Bellamy (shoulder) on the season-ending physically unable to perform list.

For Enunwa, this could be a career-ending neck injury. It’s his third neck issue since 2017. Enunwa was forced to miss that season. He came back healthy in 2018 and played in 11 games. However, in 2019, Enunwa once again suffered another season-ending neck injury in Week 1 against the Bills.

After the 2018 season, the Jets signed Enunwa to a four-year, $36 million extension while Mike Maccagnan was still in charge. Enunwa is fully guaranteed $6 million in 2020. In 2021, Enunwa has $4.1 million in injury guarantees.

Enunwa had a chance to become a real threat for the Jets, especially after his breakout 2016 season. He had 58 receptions for 857 yards and four touchdowns that year. With a knack for racking up yards after the catch, the Jets were hoping Eunwa could impact a limited receiver room in 2020, but concerns over his health lingered throughout the offseason.

As for Bellamy, the special teams ace was placed on injured reserve in November after only playing seven games. He made two catches for the Jets for a total of 20 yards.

Bellamy is owed $2.25 million in 2020.

While both moves were expected, it’s certainly not the way the Jets wanted to start their 2020 season. Now it may be time to find another wide receiver or two.

Cap Cut Candidate: Should Jets move on from WR Josh Bellamy?

Jets Wire breaks down why wide receiver Josh Bellamy could be a salary cap casualty this offseason.

Before free agency kicks off in March, Jets general manager Joe Douglas is going to have some decisions to make on players already at One Jets Drive.

Along with New York’s 32 impending free agents, there are a handful of players who could be shown the door in an effort to free up salary cap space. The Jets have $53 million to spend right now, according to Spotrac. That number could grow exponentially if Douglas parts ways with players eating up a large chunk of Gang Green’s payroll.

Among those who are a candidate to become a cap casualty is wide receiver Josh Bellamy. Mike Maccagnan inked the special teams ace to a two-year deal last offseason and he performed well in that role, but he did not contribute much to New York’s aerial attack. Should Bellamy return in 2020? Let’s evaluate the situation.

Pros of keeping him

Bellamy thrives in the role that the Jets signed him to take on. He is excellent on special teams and is the leader of a unit that was among the league’s best in 2019.

New York wouldn’t be lost on special teams without Bellamy, but it’s safe to say the unit would not be quite as good. It often flies under the radar, but special teams is an important facet of the game. Finding guys like Bellamy who get the job done on kick and punt return coverage on a weekly basis is not easy.

Cons of keeping him

It’s nice that Bellamy is a special teams ace, but the fact of the matter is the Jets need weapons at wide receiver for Sam Darnold to work with. Bellamy contributed next to nothing lined up out wide last season, taking up a spot on the depth chart that could have been used for a more dynamic pass catcher.

All of Bellamy’s contract guarantees were in the first year of his deal. If New York cuts him, it saves $2.25 million. That’s not a ton of money, but enough to make a difference in free agency.

The verdict

This is another tough one, as Bellamy is integral to New York’s special teams operations. With that being said, Brant Boyer has proved he can coach up younger players to thrive in that facet of the game. The Jets can easily part ways with Bellamy, save some money and find a younger, cheaper player to fill his role.

We’re predicting that Bellamy is out the door this offseason.