The FBI is looking for a woman who allegedly posed as an airline company heiress to scam California banks out of $30 million.
The agency said Mary McDonnell, 73, falsely identified herself as the heir to the McDonnell aircraft family and claimed she would collect an $80-million secret trust fund.
According to the Los Angeles Times, McDonnell fraudulently obtained $14.7 million from the Bank of California and defrauded other financial institutions — causing a loss of more than $15 million.
McDonnell’s alleged crimes took place between July 2017 and May 2018. In December 2018, authorities issued a federal arrest warrant in Santa Ana, after she was charged with identity theft and bank fraud.
KTLA reported that McDonnell had been the chief financial officer of Bellum Entertainment LLC, which is based in Burbank. The company produced true-crime series, including “I Married a Murderer,” and “It Takes a Killer.”
The production company faced scrutiny for reportedly not paying its workers around the same time McDonnell blamed rampant bank fraud for the reason employees were not being paid, according to 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.
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[Feature Photo: FBI]
