A woman is currently evading capture after allegedly defrauding banks and financial institutions of an astounding $30 million.
The FBI has identified Mary Carole McDonnell as a person of interest linked to a fraud investigation in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California.
The suspected fraudulent activities by the 73-year-old reportedly began in early 2017 and persisted through May 2018.
According to a recent press release: “McDonnell is alleged to have knowingly, and with the intent to defraud, devised and participated in a scheme to obtain money, funds, assets, and property owned by Banc of California.
“Through this scheme, McDonnell allegedly and fraudulently obtained a total of approximately $14.7 million from the bank to which she knew she was not entitled and has not paid back.”
The FBI further explained: “It is alleged that McDonnell also defrauded additional financial institutions in a similar fashion, with an estimated loss of over $15 million.”
McDonnell allegedly claimed she was the heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family with a hidden trust worth $80 million, which she used to persuade banks to lend her large sums of money.
In December 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for McDonnell, a native of Michigan, following charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Despite the passing of seven years, she remains at large, leading the FBI to issue a renewed call for information regarding her location.
The FBI believes McDonnell is presently residing in Dubai, UAE. Individuals with any information about her whereabouts are encouraged to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
KTLA reports that McDonnell was once employed by Bellum Entertainment LLC, a production company in Burbank responsible for TV shows such as It Takes a Killer and I Married a Murderer.
During her time there, the company faced accusations of not paying wages to numerous former employees.
In 2017, Bellum Entertainment faced two breach-of-contract lawsuits filed by separate entities in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The attorneys representing these companies claimed Bellum had breached contracts amounting to approximately $3 million, according to Deadline.
While McDonnell was still CEO, it is alleged she informed employees that the company was a victim of ‘significant bank fraud’.
However, her nephew, Peter McDonnell, who served as Bellum’s vice president for a decade, stated he was ‘unaware of any bank fraud’.