The FBI has launched an international search for 73-year-old Mary Carole McDonnell, a Michigan woman accused of posing as a wealthy heiress and stealing almost $30 million from banks and financial institutions across California.
According to an FBI Most Wanted bulletin, McDonnell allegedly claimed to be an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and falsely stated that she had access to an $80 million confidential trust — a trust investigators say never existed.
A Yearlong Fraud Scheme Across California
Federal agents say McDonnell carried out her scheme between July 2017 and May 2018 in Los Angeles and Orange counties. At the time, she was serving as CEO of Bellum Entertainment LLC, a now-closed Burbank production company known for creating true-crime series such as “I Married a Murderer” and “It Takes a Killer.”
Financial records and court documents show Bellum Entertainment was struggling to meet payroll and manage mounting debts. The indictment states McDonnell was named in several civil lawsuits accusing her of owing over $1 million to creditors.
How the Fraud Allegedly Worked
The FBI says McDonnell deliberately misled banks by pretending she was entitled to funds tied to her fabricated inheritance.
According to investigators:
- She allegedly defrauded Banc of California out of $14.7 million
- More than $15 million was taken from additional financial institutions
- Much of the stolen money was used to cover Bellum’s payroll and unpaid bills
Authorities say she never repaid any of the money, despite knowing she had no legal right to the funds.
Federal Charges and International Search
A federal arrest warrant was issued in December 2018, charging McDonnell with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The FBI believes she has since fled the United States and is currently hiding in Dubai, though she also has known connections to Montgomery, Alabama.
The James S. McDonnell Foundation, associated with the family she falsely claimed to be related to, has not commented on the case.
The FBI continues to urge anyone with information on McDonnell’s whereabouts to contact authorities.
