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Mary Carole McDonnell, the former chief executive of Bellum Entertainment, is currently the subject of an active FBI manhunt. McDonnell, a White female described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a scar on her right knee, is wanted on federal charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors allege that between July 2017 and May 2018, McDonnell devised a scheme to defraud financial institutions, primarily Banc of California, by posing as an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family. She falsely claimed access to an $80 million secret trust and fabricated trust-company documents to secure loans. Investigators state she obtained approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California and defrauded other institutions of more than $15 million, totaling over $30 million. McDonnell was indicted in federal court in 2018, and an arrest warrant was issued in December of that year by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The alleged fraud occurred in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The FBI believes McDonnell fled the United States and is currently located in Dubai. Antonio Sabato Jr., the host of Bellum’s makeover series “Fix It & Finish It,” expressed shock upon learning of the allegations, stating he had no prior knowledge of the financial misconduct and was not involved in the company’s finances. McDonnell’s attorney was not immediately available for comment. The FBI urges anyone with information regarding McDonnell’s whereabouts to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate. The case remains active as investigators continue to search for the fugitive executive.
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