Who Is Mary Carole McDonnell? The TV Exec Fugitive Accused of Faking a Fortune

The Fake Heiress Story That Fooled Banks

Mary Carole McDonnell wasn't just running a business — she was allegedly running one of the more audacious cons in recent memory. As CEO of Bellum Entertainment LLC, McDonnell claimed she was heir to the famous McDonnell Aircraft family fortune, with an $80 million secret trust supposedly waiting for her to claim. There was just one problem: none of it was true.

According to federal authorities, McDonnell used that fabricated backstory to convince Banc of California and other financial institutions to hand over massive sums of money she had no right to. Prosecutors say the scheme ran from July 2017 to May 2018, netting her roughly $14.7 million from Banc of California alone, with total losses across multiple banks estimated at over $15 million.

How the Scheme Reportedly Worked

Federal charges allege McDonnell knowingly devised a plan to obtain money, funds, assets, and property she wasn't entitled to — essentially leveraging her fake inheritance story as collateral for loans and credit she never intended, or was never able, to repay. A federal arrest warrant was issued in December 2018 out of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, charging her with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

She's now officially a fugitive, and the FBI says she's likely operating under one of several aliases, including Mary Carole Carroll, Mary Carol McDonnell, and Mary Carroll McDonald.

Where She Might Be Now

Investigators believe McDonnell has ties to Los Angeles, Montgomery, Alabama, and — most notably — Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where she's currently believed to be hiding out. Dubai has long been a landing spot for fugitives from U.S. white-collar crime cases, partly due to the complexities around extradition between the U.S. and UAE.

Her entertainment industry ties have also drawn attention, with reports noting a former star connected to her business ventures was reportedly stunned to learn the extent of the alleged fraud.

Why This Case Still Matters

McDonnell's case is a reminder that white-collar fraud isn't always about spreadsheets and shell companies — sometimes it's about a compelling personal story that nobody bothers to verify. An $80 million secret trust and a famous last name were apparently enough to unlock tens of millions in real money from real banks.

The FBI considers her an active fugitive, and the case remains open. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.