Former Phoenix Anchor Indicted in Alleged PPP Loan Scheme

Stephanie Hockridge Reis and her husband Nathan Reis, have been indicted on four criminal counts of wire fraud and one for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Hockridge Reis, a former KNXV anchor, and her husband founded Blueacorn. The Scottsdale-based company processed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications during the pandemic.

The indictment charges the two in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief money guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through the PPP under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Fox owned KSAZ said Hockridge and Reis are accused of attempting to directly charge some applicants a 10% fee for successfully getting a loan, a violation of the Small Business Administration rules.

In one instance, Reis claimed in an application he was African American and a veteran.

A 90-second video, now at the center of an alleged federal deception, shows the company’s application process.

Reis was taken into custody by federal authorities in Puerto Rico, where the couple were living.