Topline: Mary Carole McDonnell faces federal charges after allegedly defrauding banks by claiming access to an $80 million trust.
Published: December 12, 2025 2:46 pm ET
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Mary Carole McDonnell via FBI
SANTA ANA, CA — Mary Carole McDonnell is wanted by federal authorities for allegedly defrauding California banks out of nearly $30 million by posing as an heiress.
McDonnell, 73, a former true crime television show producer, is now on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
According to an FBI press release, McDonnell faces charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for a scheme carried out in California between July 2017 and May 2018.
The FBI alleges McDonnell posed as an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and claimed access to an $80 million trust fund. Investigators say the deception enabled her to secure millions in fraudulent loans and transactions.
Federal officials allege McDonnell secured $14.7 million from Banc of California and more than $15 million from other banks. The combined schemes totaled nearly $30 million. Authorities said none of the funds have been repaid.
A federal arrest warrant was issued Dec. 12, 2018, in the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. The FBI believes McDonnell fled the country soon after and is now in Dubai, complicating extradition efforts. She remains a fugitive more than six years later.
McDonnell previously served as chief executive officer of Bellum Entertainment LLC, a now-defunct Burbank production company, as per KTLA. The company was best known for syndicated true-crime shows such as “It Takes a Killer” and “I Married a Murderer.”
In 2017, Bellum Entertainment was investigated by the California Labor Commission for allegedly failing to pay wages to dozens of employees, according to Deadline. The probe coincided with the period when McDonnell was accused of orchestrating her multimillion-dollar bank fraud.
Although the timelines overlapped, investigators have not found a direct connection between Bellum’s financial troubles and McDonnell’s alleged scheme. Authorities maintain the company’s labor issues and the banking fraud remain separate matters.
The FBI describes McDonnell, now 73, as a blonde woman who is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 145 pounds, and has a scar on her right knee. Her wanted poster has been circulated worldwide.
Federal agents urge anyone with information on McDonnell’s whereabouts to contact the FBI, local field offices, or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the FBI website.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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FBI’s Most Wanted: Fake Aircraft Heiress Bilks Banks of $30 Million
Mary Carole McDonnell faces federal charges after allegedly defrauding banks by claiming access to an $80 million trust.
By Kate Byrd
Published: December 12, 2025 2:46 pm ET
Mary Carole McDonnell via FBI
SANTA ANA, CA — Mary Carole McDonnell is wanted by federal authorities for allegedly defrauding California banks out of nearly $30 million by posing as an heiress.
McDonnell, 73, a former true crime television show producer, is now on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
According to an FBI press release, McDonnell faces charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for a scheme carried out in California between July 2017 and May 2018.
The FBI alleges McDonnell posed as an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and claimed access to an $80 million trust fund. Investigators say the deception enabled her to secure millions in fraudulent loans and transactions.
Federal officials allege McDonnell secured $14.7 million from Banc of California and more than $15 million from other banks. The combined schemes totaled nearly $30 million. Authorities said none of the funds have been repaid.
A federal arrest warrant was issued Dec. 12, 2018, in the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. The FBI believes McDonnell fled the country soon after and is now in Dubai, complicating extradition efforts. She remains a fugitive more than six years later.
McDonnell previously served as chief executive officer of Bellum Entertainment LLC, a now-defunct Burbank production company, as per KTLA. The company was best known for syndicated true-crime shows such as “It Takes a Killer” and “I Married a Murderer.”
In 2017, Bellum Entertainment was investigated by the California Labor Commission for allegedly failing to pay wages to dozens of employees, according to Deadline. The probe coincided with the period when McDonnell was accused of orchestrating her multimillion-dollar bank fraud.
Although the timelines overlapped, investigators have not found a direct connection between Bellum’s financial troubles and McDonnell’s alleged scheme. Authorities maintain the company’s labor issues and the banking fraud remain separate matters.
The FBI describes McDonnell, now 73, as a blonde woman who is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 145 pounds, and has a scar on her right knee. Her wanted poster has been circulated worldwide.
Federal agents urge anyone with information on McDonnell’s whereabouts to contact the FBI, local field offices, or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the FBI website.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
FBI’s Most Wanted: Fake Aircraft Heiress Bilks Banks of $30 Million
Mary Carole McDonnell faces federal charges after allegedly defrauding banks by claiming access to an $80 million trust.
By Kate Byrd
Published: December 12, 2025 2:46 pm ET
Mary Carole McDonnell via FBI
SANTA ANA, CA — Mary Carole McDonnell is wanted by federal authorities for allegedly defrauding California banks out of nearly $30 million by posing as an heiress.
McDonnell, 73, a former true crime television show producer, is now on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
According to an FBI press release, McDonnell faces charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for a scheme carried out in California between July 2017 and May 2018.
The FBI alleges McDonnell posed as an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and claimed access to an $80 million trust fund. Investigators say the deception enabled her to secure millions in fraudulent loans and transactions.
Federal officials allege McDonnell secured $14.7 million from Banc of California and more than $15 million from other banks. The combined schemes totaled nearly $30 million. Authorities said none of the funds have been repaid.
A federal arrest warrant was issued Dec. 12, 2018, in the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. The FBI believes McDonnell fled the country soon after and is now in Dubai, complicating extradition efforts. She remains a fugitive more than six years later.
McDonnell previously served as chief executive officer of Bellum Entertainment LLC, a now-defunct Burbank production company, as per KTLA. The company was best known for syndicated true-crime shows such as “It Takes a Killer” and “I Married a Murderer.”
In 2017, Bellum Entertainment was investigated by the California Labor Commission for allegedly failing to pay wages to dozens of employees, according to Deadline. The probe coincided with the period when McDonnell was accused of orchestrating her multimillion-dollar bank fraud.
Although the timelines overlapped, investigators have not found a direct connection between Bellum’s financial troubles and McDonnell’s alleged scheme. Authorities maintain the company’s labor issues and the banking fraud remain separate matters.
The FBI describes McDonnell, now 73, as a blonde woman who is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 145 pounds, and has a scar on her right knee. Her wanted poster has been circulated worldwide.
Federal agents urge anyone with information on McDonnell’s whereabouts to contact the FBI, local field offices, or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the FBI website.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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