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Ex-Jets receiver Joshua Bellamy charged for using $1.2M Covid loan to buy jewelry, Internet says 'lock him up'

Bellamy reportedly obtained a paycheck protection program loan for his company, Drip Entertainment LLC, of $1,246,565 and used more than $104,000 of the funds on luxury goods

Joshua Bellamy, the wide receiver of the New York Jets, is facing a string of fraud charges. According to the Justice Department on Thursday, September 10, he allegedly took part in a scheme where coronavirus funds were used for personal purposes. Bellamy was cut by the Jets earlier this week and was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud along with conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud. The 31-year-old was arrested for his alleged role in a $24 million scheme to receive illegal loans that was meant for coronavirus relief.
 
According to CNN, the Justice Department said Bellamy reportedly obtained a paycheck protection program loan for his company, Drip Entertainment LLC of $1,246,565 and used more than $104,000 of the funds on luxury goods, including purchases at Dior, Gucci and various jewelers. He was charged in the Southern District of Florida. In a news release, the Department added the scheme began when his associate had obtained the loan using false documents. 

"After submitting that application, (the associate) then began to work with other co-conspirators, including Bellamy, 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," the release said. The Jets told the new site he was no longer with them. 

Twitterati too weighed-in on the issue. For some, it was just a pity. "This makes my heart hurt........all the difficulties that we are living with now and that people are doing this!!!! I know in my heart that the majority of people are good but this certainly shakes my faith in some. Time to take off my rose colored glasses," read one of the tweets.

"It’s one thing to commit fraud but this also took money away from a business that really needed it that may have failed. Sad and disgraceful," one of the fans wrote.

It was no surprise they wanted him locked up. "Yup - kneeler, AND apparent #Gucci and #Dior fan. Sorry to say, but there is no leather in prison" a fan remarked.

"Lock him up!" was one of the common tweets doing the rounds. 

"AND THEY TAKE A KNEE & DISRESPECT OUR COUNTRY. ALL THE WHILE RIPPING OFF NEEDY AMERICANS DURING CHINA VIRUS BOYCOTT," lashed out a fan.

The receiver's attorneys, Jeff and Diego Weiner, hoped the public would give him the benefit of doubt. "Josh Bellamy is a good and decent man, who is presumed innocent by our laws," the attorneys said. "We hope that the public will give him the benefit of the doubt at this time. All too often, professional athletes are taken advantage of by people who are purportedly acting on their behalf as agents or advisors. We will all know more as the case progresses."

Meanwhile, the prosecutors alleged that Bellamy also spent approximately $62,774 in proceeds at a Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and then went on to withdraw more than $302,000. He also allegedly sought PPP loans on behalf of family members and close associates.