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Ex-Phoenix Anchor Stephanie Hockridge Gets 10 Years for Blueacorn PPP Fraud

Prosecutors describe Blueacorn as a loan mill that pushed $63 million in bogus PPP applications using fabricated records with kickback fees.

Overview

  • A Texas federal court also ordered Hockridge to pay nearly $64 million in restitution.
  • The Justice Department says Blueacorn fabricated payroll, tax and bank records and used a paid "VIPPP" channel that coached borrowers to submit false information.
  • A 2022 congressional report found the company sidelined vetting, charged illegal success fees, prioritized volume over accuracy, and included internal messages urging deletions.
  • Hockridge was convicted by a jury in June of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; co-founder Nathan Reis pleaded guilty in August and awaits sentencing.
  • She is expected to surrender on December 30 to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas, according to prior reporting.