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. According to prosecutors, the scheme stretched from April 2020 through October 2021. During that period, Hopkins filed multiple applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Paycheck Protection Program funds, programs created to stabilize businesses rocked by shutdowns and economic uncertainty. Authorities said the paperwork he submitted was riddled with false statements. Applications were filed under business names connected to him, including Blurock LLC and Hopkins Drywall. In those filings, he overstated revenues and misrepresented eligibility in order to qualify for larger payouts. Court records show he submitted 10 fraudulent EIDL applications, along …