US News
Former TV executive faces FBI manhunt over alleged $30M bank fraud scheme
Federal prosecutors allege former Bellum Entertainment CEO Mary Carole McDonnell faked her identity to secure millions in loans before fleeing to Dubai.
The short version
- Former Bellum Entertainment CEO Mary Carole McDonnell is wanted by the FBI on bank fraud and identity theft charges after allegedly defrauding financial institutions out of around $30 million.
- Federal authorities claim McDonnell falsely asserted she was an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft fortune to secure approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California and over $15 million from other lenders.
- Investigators believe McDonnell fled to Dubai following a federal arrest warrant issued in late 2018.
Key facts
- Mary Carole McDonnell was indicted in 2018 on five counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.[Fox News]
- Federal prosecutors allege McDonnell posed as an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and fabricated documents regarding an $80 million trust to obtain roughly $14.7 million from Banc of California.[Fox News]
- The FBI states McDonnell defrauded additional financial institutions out of more than $15 million between July 2017 and May 2018.[Fox News]
- A federal arrest warrant for McDonnell was issued on Dec. 12, 2018, and investigators believe she is currently in Dubai.[Fox News]
- Actor Antonio Sabato Jr., former host of Bellum Entertainment's show "Fix It & Finish It," stated he was unaware of the company's financial operations or the criminal charges until contacted by media.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- McDonnell's exact whereabouts remain unconfirmed beyond the FBI's assessment that she is located in Dubai.[Fox News]