Stephanie Hockridge Sentenced in Elaborate COVID Relief Scheme

Former Arizona news anchor Stephanie Hockridge has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison. She was convicted for her role in a massive COVID-19 relief fraud conspiracy. The sentencing occurred in a Texas federal court.

Hockridge was also ordered to pay nearly $64 million in restitution. Her co-defendants share this financial penalty. This case represents one of the larger fraud prosecutions linked to pandemic relief funds.

The Mechanics of the Multi-Million Dollar Fraud

Hockridge and her husband, Nathan Reis, founded a company called Blueacorn in 2020. They presented it as a service to help small businesses secure government loans. According to the Justice Department, the company was actually a front for fraud.

Prosecutors stated the firm charged secret kickbacks based on loan amounts. They knowingly submitted applications filled with false information to the U.S. Small Business Administration. One application falsely claimed Reis was both a veteran and African American.

In total, the scheme processed over $63 million in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Investigators found the couple used the illicit gains for personal enrichment. The PPP was an $800 billion federal initiative designed to help businesses during the pandemic lockdowns.

A High-Profile Fall from Grace

Hockridge’s sentencing marks a dramatic fall. She was once a trusted face on Phoenix’s ABC15 news station. Her transition from journalist to convicted felon has drawn significant public attention.

The court found her guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in June. She was, however, acquitted on four separate counts of wire fraud. Her husband, Reis, previously took a plea deal and awaits his own sentencing in December.

Hockridge is scheduled to report to prison on December 30. She will serve her time at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas. This minimum-security facility also houses other high-profile inmates like Elizabeth Holmes and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The sentencing of Stephanie Hockridge closes a significant chapter in the pursuit of COVID-19 fraud. It serves as a stark warning about the consequences of exploiting national emergency programs.

Thought you’d like to know

Where is Stephanie Hockridge going to prison?

She will be incarcerated at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas. This is a minimum-security federal facility. It also houses other well-known inmates like Elizabeth Holmes.

What was Stephanie Hockridge convicted of?

She was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The jury acquitted her on four counts of wire fraud. The conviction was related to fraudulent PPP loan applications.

How much money was involved in the fraud scheme?

The conspiracy processed over $63 million in fraudulent loans. Hockridge was ordered to pay nearly $64 million in restitution. This financial penalty is shared with her co-defendants.

What was the company Blueacorn?

Blueacorn was a financial services firm founded by Hockridge and her husband. It was presented as a helper for small businesses seeking pandemic loans. Federal prosecutors proved it was a vehicle for fraud.

What was Nathan Reis’s role in this case?

Nathan Reis is Hockridge’s husband and co-defendant. He took a plea agreement in August 2025. His sentencing is scheduled for December.