World · North America · 1 hr ago
FBI Seeks Former Bellum CEO in Alleged $29 Million Bank Fraud
The FBI is seeking Mary Carole McDonnell, the former CEO of California production company Bellum Entertainment.
She is accused of defrauding banks of more than $29 million starting in 2017, and is also charged with identity theft.
The FBI says McDonnell may be in Dubai, though her location is not confirmed.
Investigators say she persuaded banks to lend her money by claiming she was an heiress with access to an $80 million trust.
The agency has added her to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list, which focuses on people wanted for financial crimes.
Bellum was also facing financial trouble around 2017, including debts to creditors and claims that it had not paid production companies and workers.
The FBI is offering $150,000 for information that leads to McDonnell’s arrest and conviction.
The FBI has added former Bellum Entertainment CEO Mary Carole McDonnell to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list.
McDonnell is accused of defrauding California banks of more than $29 million starting in 2017.
The FBI is offering $150,000 for information leading to her arrest and conviction.
McDonnell, 75, is believed to have been in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the past few years.
She was charged in 2018 with five counts of bank fraud and identity theft.
- Who
- Mary Carole McDonnell, former Bellum Entertainment CEO.
- What
- The FBI is seeking information leading to her arrest and conviction over alleged bank fraud.
- When
- The alleged fraud began in 2017; she was charged in 2018.
- Where
- The alleged victims were California banks. McDonnell is believed to be in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- Why
- The FBI accuses McDonnell of defrauding banks of more than $29 million.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The alleged bank fraud began, and Bellum was facing financial problems.
McDonnell was charged with five counts of bank fraud and identity theft.
The FBI launched its Most Wanted Fraudsters list.
Deadline reported that McDonnell had been added to the FBI list and that a $150,000 reward was being offered.
- Alleged losses
- More than $29 million
- Reward
- $150,000
- Age
- 75
- Location
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where she is assumed to have been for the past few years
- Charges
- Five counts of bank fraud and identity theft
- Former company
- Bellum Entertainment
What people are saying
The Most Wanted Fraudsters list is a new way to elevate the focus on fugitives wanted for financial crimes.
This woman was a Hollywood executive specializing in true crime content and allegedly crossed over into actual true crime.