Former ABC 15 Anchor and Spouse Facing Charges for Alleged PPP Fraud Scheme in Arizona

A pair of former Arizona media personalities are facing severe legal repercussions, implicated in an alleged scheme to defraud the government's pandemic relief efforts, according to federal authorities.

Stephanie Hockridge-Reis, previously an anchor with ABC 15, and her husband Nathan Reis, have been charged with orchestrating a fraudulent plot involving the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as detailed in report by AZ Central, the pair allegedly submitted and facilitated others to submit false loan applications to siphon fund from the aid meant to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Departing news broadcasting in 2018, Hockridge hinted at future plans, which unfolded as the co-founding of Blueacorn, a company intended to aid in securing relief funds for small businesses; instead, it took center stage in a federal suit, with the couple now facing one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud, each charge carrying a potential 20-year sentence.

Hockridge-Reis, along with her husband, is accused of a myriad of fraudulent activities in their handling of the PPP, including falsifying identity claims, coaching on fraudulent application submissions, and directly charging clients illegal fees for their service, as detailed by the DOJ; the accumulated charges could mean the couple faces a combined century behind bars if convicted on all counts.

The case against Hockridge-Reis and her husband further highlights the rampant abuses of pandemic aid programs, with Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz citing, "I think it was 57,000 applications in PPP were for applicants who were on the Do Not Pay list, involving several billions of dollars," as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix; the duo's day in court, set for today, is anticipated to shed more light on the extent of their alleged scheme.