Joshua Bellamy, ex-Jets receiver, accused in $24 million coronavirus relief fraud

A professional football player spent tens of thousands of dollars meant for small-business coronavirus relief on designer jewelry and jaunts to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, prosecutors say.

Joshua Bellamy, a wide receiver who was cut from the New York Jets on Tuesday, is alleged to have fraudulently obtained about $1.25 million dollars of Paycheck Protection Program money.

He got the cash with the help of Phillip J. Augustin, prosecutors say, a Coral Springs man who now sits at the center of a $24 million dollar coronavirus relief fraud ring. At least 10 other people have been indicted as part of the ring. The majority of those involved are from Florida, but two are from Ohio.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, they included:

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