Conviction of Former ABC Anchor Stephanie Hockridge for Wire Fraud
Earlier in the year, Stephanie Hockridge, a former anchor with ABC, was convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Following the conviction, the court has now issued her sentence. Hockridge is set to serve a decade in prison and has been ordered to pay the government a sum exceeding $63 million.
Stephanie Hockridge, age 42, along with her husband, 46-year-old Nathan Reis, were charged in 2024 with exploiting the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This program was designed to help business owners maintain their operations during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hockridge had been a part of the ABC15 news team for numerous years before these events.
Initially, both Hockridge and Reis maintained their innocence, facing their trials separately. Hockridge was declared guilty in June, whereas Reis accepted a plea agreement in August. His agreement led to his conviction on a single count of conspiracy, rather than facing the original five charges.
An initial report by the Department of Justice highlighted that the duo had submitted “false and fraudulent PPP loan applications for themselves and their businesses.” They reportedly achieved this by creating fictitious documents to support their applications, thus acquiring funds they did not qualify for through their company, Blueacorn.
A more recent DOJ statement detailed that the couple successfully secured over $63 million from the PPP loans. Additionally, it was ordered that Hockridge alone must pay an equivalent amount in restitution.
At her trial, Hockridge’s defense attorneys attempted to shift the blame towards her husband, claiming their actions were misguided attempts to assist small businesses during a critical period. This defense was undermined by a text message from Hockridge to Reis, joking about their efforts: “This is us trying to apply for free money— when we don’t quite qualify. lol,” which she sent amid their fraudulent schemes.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
