The former chief executive of Bellum Entertainment, a television production company, is the subject of an FBI manhunt in connection with a federal fraud case involving millions of dollars. Prosecutors allege that Mary Carole McDonnell fled to Dubai after using fraudulent claims about an $80 million trust and fabricating trust-company documents to obtain a $15 million loan.
McDonnell was indicted in federal court in 2018 on five counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Investigators state that McDonnell is wanted for her alleged role in a scheme to defraud Banc of California between July 2017 and May 2018. The FBI believes she is currently in Dubai. A federal arrest warrant for McDonnell was issued on December 12, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Federal investigators assert that McDonnell posed as an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft family and falsely claimed she would gain access to a substantial secret trust. She allegedly obtained approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California, though she was reportedly not authorized to do so and did not repay the funds. The FBI indicated she used similar tactics to defraud other financial institutions of over $15 million.
Antonio Sabato Jr., who hosted Bellum's syndicated home makeover series “Fix It & Finish It,” expressed shock upon learning of the allegations against McDonnell. Sabato, who recalled McDonnell as the business force behind the show, told Fox News Digital that he was unaware of the case until contacted by reporters.
"I didn’t know anything at all until you guys called," Sabato said. He stated that he was hired as the host, creator, and producer of “Fix It & Finish It” and was not involved in the company's financial dealings. Sabato described the show as physically demanding but rewarding work, where he and a small crew renovated homes for families in need.
Sabato had no firsthand knowledge of the allegations against McDonnell at the time and did not observe any warning signs. He also stated that he was never contacted by federal investigators after the indictment was filed. Sabato remembered McDonnell as a polished executive discussing Bellum's projects during meetings at the company's Burbank office.
He recalled the show's abrupt cancellation as puzzling. "It felt weird," Sabato said. "And I said, something’s going on. I just felt something was up. And then my producer called me and said that they pulled the plug." He now believes the criminal case provides context for the company's financial difficulties.
Investigators describe McDonnell as a White female, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a scar on her right knee. The FBI is urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate.