DALLAS, Texas — Stephanie Hockridge, a 42-year-old founder of Blueacorn, was convicted by a federal jury for her role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain millions in COVID-19 relief funds. Hockridge, also known as Stephanie Reis, conspired to submit false Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications, according to court documents.
Hockridge, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, and formerly of Arizona, fabricated documents to falsify income and payroll, securing funds for which she was ineligible, according to the Justice Department. “This defendant exploited a national emergency to personally profit from a taxpayer-funded program,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson for the Northern District of Texas emphasized the ongoing efforts to hold fraudsters accountable. “During a time of crisis in our country, this defendant abused the generosity of the American people,” Larson stated…