Stephanie Hockridge, a former Phoenix TV news anchor, has been sentenced to ten years in prison following her conviction for fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. A federal judge in Fort Worth, Texas, delivered the sentence on November 21 for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, Hockridge was ordered to pay nearly $64 million in restitution and has until December 30 to self-surrender.
Hockridge and her husband, Nathan Reis, were indicted in November 2024, facing serious charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud. Their fraudulent activities revolved around their company, BlueAcorn, which they established during the pandemic in April 2020. Prosecutors revealed that they applied for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds that they were not entitled to, guiding others in submitting similar fraudulent applications and receiving kickbacks based on the amount of funding disbursed.
Court documents included a revealing text message from Hockridge to Reis, in which she humorously acknowledged their dubious approach, stating, “This is us trying to apply for free money — when we don’t quite qualify. lol.” Such admissions underscored the couple’s awareness of their illegal actions.
A congressional report from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis indicated that BlueAcorn targeted larger loan applications for higher fees. Hockridge’s comments in a Slack message highlighted this strategy, expressing a belief that prioritizing substantial loans could facilitate payments for others.
After a federal jury found her guilty in June 2025, Hockridge’s attorneys described her efforts as an attempt to support small businesses during an unprecedented time, arguing that she had been misled by those around her. Meanwhile, Reis opted not to go to trial, instead pleading guilty in August to conspiracy and wire fraud charges, with his sentencing set for December.
This case highlights the severe consequences of fraudulent activities during a critical time when financial assistance was desperately needed by many. The justice system’s response indicates a commitment to maintaining integrity within relief fund programs, aiming to prevent future exploitation.