Mary Carole McDonnell, the former chief executive of Bellum Entertainment, is the subject of an FBI manhunt related to a federal fraud case involving millions of dollars. Prosecutors allege that McDonnell fled to Dubai after making false claims about an $80 million trust and fabricating documents to secure a $15 million loan, ultimately receiving approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California. Antonio Sabato Jr., the former host of Bellum’s makeover show "Fix It & Finish It," expressed surprise upon learning about the allegations against McDonnell, stating he was unaware of the situation until contacted by a reporter.
McDonnell was indicted in federal court in 2018 on five counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. The FBI reported that the alleged fraudulent activities took place in Los Angeles and Orange County between July 2017 and May 2018. According to the FBI, McDonnell devised a scheme to obtain funds and property owned by Banc of California, posing as an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and falsely claiming access to an $80 million secret trust.
Federal investigators indicated that McDonnell managed to acquire approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California without authorization and did not repay the loan. She reportedly used similar tactics to defraud other financial institutions of more than $15 million. The FBI's active wanted notice states that they believe she is currently in Dubai, and a federal arrest warrant was issued for her on December 12, 2018, in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
Sabato, who was involved with the show as its host, creator, and producer, stated that he was not privy to Bellum’s financial matters and had no knowledge of any warning signs regarding McDonnell's actions. He described the show as meaningful work that helped families in need, and he expressed confusion over the show's abrupt cancellation. Sabato noted that the criminal case has provided him with new insights into the financial issues faced by the company.
The FBI has provided a description of McDonnell, identifying her as a White female, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a scar on her right knee. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is encouraged to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate.