A former NFL wide receiver who illegally got over $1 million in pandemic relief money meant to help struggling businesses was sentenced to a little more than three years in prison Friday, prosecutors said.
Joshua Bellamy, who spent most of his football career with the Chicago Bears but most recently played for the New York Jets, was among 11 people charged in a more than $17 million fraud scheme last year.
Bellamy, 32, got a $1.2 million loan from the Paycheck Protection Program for his company, some of which he spent on himself, including on jewelry and at a casino. He also referred other people to the scheme, court documents state.
Bellamy pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
He was sentenced Friday to 37 months in prison and will have to repay the $1,246,565, the Justice Department said in a statement.
Bellamy's attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening.
Bellamy is free on bond and is scheduled to report to prison by Feb. 15, according to court documents.
July 7, 202005:58
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