The FBI is asking the public to help track down Mary Carole McDonnell, a 73-year-old former television executive accused of posing as an aviation heiress and siphoning nearly $30 million from banks and lenders. Federal officials say McDonnell allegedly obtained roughly $14.7 million from Banc of California and used similar tactics to hit other institutions, while keeping connections to Los Angeles and Montgomery, Alabama and possibly hiding out in Dubai.
What The FBI Says
According to the FBI, McDonnell is wanted on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, and a federal arrest warrant was issued on December 12, 2018. The notice alleges she fraudulently obtained approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California and that other institutions collectively lost more than $15 million in similar schemes.
How Investigators Say She Pulled The Con
Court filings and reporting say McDonnell presented herself as an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and claimed access to an $80 million "secret trust." She then allegedly produced forged account statements and notarized documents to support the story. Prosecutors say she drew down a multi-million dollar facility and diverted much of the money to cover Bellum Entertainment's payroll and creditors, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Bellum Entertainment And Unpaid Staff
McDonnell was the CEO of Bellum Entertainment, a Burbank production company behind a slate of true-crime shows, which abruptly folded amid payroll delays and dozens of wage claims. Former staff described missed paychecks and civil suits in interviews with NBC Los Angeles, which reported that the company’s collapse lined up with the period prosecutors say the alleged bank fraud occurred.
Where Authorities Think She Is Now
The FBI notice says McDonnell has ties to Los Angeles and Montgomery, Alabama, and that investigators believe she may be residing in Dubai. The wanted bulletin resurfaced this week when the FBI Las Vegas account retweeted the announcement on March 20, 2026, on X.
Legal Status And What Comes Next
A federal grand jury in Santa Ana returned an indictment, and a federal arrest warrant was issued on Dec. 12, 2018. Court records list the case as SACV 18-1194, according to the Central District docket. If she is located, McDonnell would face federal bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges under that indictment.
How To Report Tips
If you have information about McDonnell's whereabouts, the FBI asks that you contact your local field office or the nearest American embassy or consulate, and submit tips through its online system. For details on aliases, the arrest warrant and how to send tips, see the FBI.
