NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Mary Carole McDonnell once ran Bellum Entertainment, a television production company whose programming included true crime shows and an inspiring home makeover series. The company’s former CEO is now the subject of an FBI manhunt linked to a federal fraud case involving millions of dollars. Prosecutors allege that McDonnell fled to Dubai after using false claims about an $80 million trust and fabricating trust company documents to obtain a $15 million loan, receiving approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California. The former host of Bellum’s transformation show says he was left speechless when a journalist told him about the case this week. Antonio Sabato Jr., who hosted the syndicated series “Fix It & Finish It,” said he was stunned to learn of the case against McDonnell, the former Bellum executive he remembered as the business force behind the show. “I didn’t know anything at all until you guys called,” Sabato told Fox News Digital.6 IN 10 IDENTITY CRIMES NOW START A NEW ACCOUNT Fugitive Mary Carole McDonnell is accused of orchestrating a widespread financial fraud scheme in Southern California. (FBI) McDonnell was indicted in federal court in 2018 on five counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Investigators say McDonnell is wanted on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with the alleged scheme carried out in Los Angeles and Orange counties between July 2017 and May 2018, the FBI said. Mary McDonnell allegedly committed fraud in Los Angeles, California. (iStock) “Beginning approximately July 2017 and continuing through May 2018, McDonnell is alleged to have knowingly and with intent to defraud devised and participated in a scheme to obtain money, funds, assets and property owned by the Banc of California,” the FBI said. Federal investigators say McDonnell posed as an heiress to the McDonnell Aircraft family and falsely claimed she would eventually gain access to an $80 million secret trust. she was allegedly able to obtain approximately $14.7 million from the Banc of California, even though she knew it was unauthorized and did not return it. He used similar methods to defraud other financial institutions of more than $15 million, according to the FBI. FBI HUNTS MOST WANTED NEXT NEIGHBOR WHO ALLEGEDLY FAKED CANCER, SCAMMED HER LOVED ONES INTO LUXURY GETAWAYS The bureau’s active wanted notice says the agency believes she is currently in Dubai. A federal arrest warrant was issued for McDonnell on December 12, 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Sabato told Fox News Digital that he was hired as host, creator and producer of “Fix It & Finish It” and was not involved in Bellum’s finances. The series sent him and a small team from city to city to renovate homes for families in need, he said. Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. leaves Planet Hollywood Times Square on September 4, 2014 in New York City. (Ray Tamarra/GC Images) He described the program as physically demanding but deeply meaningful work, with the team completing a different home project each day of the week. GET THE LATEST NEWS BY EMAIL “It was called ‘Fix It & Finish It,’ but it was really fixing their souls,” Sabato said. “I’ve seen grown men and women, just [in] Tears.”LISTEN TO THE NEW PODCASTS ‘CRIME AND JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’Sabato said he had no firsthand knowledge of the allegations against McDonnell and saw no warning signs at the time. He also said he was never contacted by the FBI or other federal investigators after the indictment against McDonnell was filed. Instead, he said, he remembered McDonnell as a polished executive who talked about Bellum’s shows and the potential of the renewal series. during meetings at the company’s Burbank office. READ THE INdictment: FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON I just felt like something was happening. And then my producer called me and told me they pulled the plug.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS. He said the criminal case has now given him new context for the company’s financial problems. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS “I’d like to ask him someday, ‘Why did you do that?’ Why would you go and create this hell? 145 pounds, blonde hair, blue eyes and a scar on his right knee, he reportedly fled to Dubai (Reuters) CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Anyone with information about McDonnell’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local FBI office or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
