The FBI is currently on the hunt for a woman accused of masquerading as an airline company heiress to swindle California banks out of a staggering $30 million.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 73-year-old Mary McDonnell, who allegedly pretended to be an heir to the McDonnell aircraft family. McDonnell claimed she was on the verge of receiving an $80 million secret trust fund, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
McDonnell is said to have secured $14.7 million under false pretenses from the Bank of California and caused other financial institutions to suffer losses exceeding $15 million in total.
The alleged fraudulent activities took place over a span of nearly a year, from July 2017 to May 2018. By December 2018, federal authorities had issued an arrest warrant in Santa Ana, charging McDonnell with identity theft and bank fraud.
According to KTLA, McDonnell previously served as the chief financial officer for Bellum Entertainment LLC, a Burbank-based company known for producing true-crime television series such as “I Married a Murderer” and “It Takes a Killer.”
The production company came under fire for reportedly failing to pay its employees during the same period. McDonnell allegedly attributed the lack of payments to pervasive bank fraud, as reported by KTLA.
Meanwhile, McDonnell has been added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list, The FBI believes McDonnell may be in Dubai.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: FBI]
