Lexington man gets prison time in federal COVID-19 loan gambling fraud scheme

A Lexington man who secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds through false claims is headed to federal prison, after authorities said he funneled part of the money into gambling and other personal expenses.

John A. Hopkins, 48, was sentenced Tuesday to 24 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove in Frankfort. Hopkins previously admitted he took part in a fraud and money laundering scheme involving federal pandemic relief programs designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat.