FBI nabs 4th most wanted in merely 5 weeks

A fugitive on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters List has been returned to the Southern District of Florida to face federal charges for allegedly stealing more than $32 million in federal COVID 19 relief funds.

Elaine Escoe, 41, was charged by indictment in 2025 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple substantive counts of wire fraud and money laundering. After a federal arrest warrant was issued in May 2025, Escoe failed to appear for her court appearance and fled to Jamaica.

Jamaican authorities captured Escoe after receiving a tip. “This Most Wanted Fraudster allegedly obtained tens of millions in COVID-19 relief, stealing critical resources from legitimate businesses during a national crisis,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. “She fled the country believing she could escape justice but ultimately could not. Those who exploit taxpayer-funded programs will be held accountable by this Department of Justice, no matter how long it takes or where they attempt to hide.”

She was returned to South Florida today through the coordinated efforts of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF), and the JCF Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team.

“Elaine Angene Escoe’s arrest and return to the United States demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of American justice,” Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Division said. “This Most Wanted Fraudster faces charges stemming from a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief programs. The Fraud Division will continue to vigorously prosecute those who steal from the American people.”

According to court records, Escoe and her co conspirators submitted or caused the submission of fraudulent applications seeking more than $32 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds. The applications falsely represented the existence, payroll, revenue, and operations of purported businesses to qualify for and maximize federal relief funding. “The historic success of the ‘Most Wanted Fraudster’ list continues as the FBI and our partners just captured our fourth Most Wanted Fraudster in 5 weeks, and yet another high value target returned to the U.S. by this FBI,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.

“Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May of 2025, was captured in Jamaica while living under a fake identity of ‘Harley Newman,’ and returned to the United States today to face justice. She is charged for her alleged involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, connected with a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Escoe brings the number of high value targets returned by the FBI to over 30 just since June.To support the fraudulent applications, the conspirators created fake tax documents, fabricated bank records, and other false financial records that lenders and program administrators relied upon in approving loans and grants.

“Led by President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the FBI and our partners continue to see an unprecedented level of success taking down the worst of the worst alleged fraudsters,” Patel said. “In just weeks, we have captured four subjects on three different continents charged with a combined nearly $1.8 billion in fraud, collectively on the run for over 3,500 days, each hiding overseas, now returned and all in custody in 1.5 months. Under this administration, fraud is no longer tolerated, and those who steal from American taxpayers have nowhere to hide.”

Some applications were submitted on behalf of businesses controlled by the conspirators, while others were submitted for third parties in exchange for substantial kickbacks sometimes as much as 50 percent of the loan proceeds. The fraud proceeds were subsequently laundered among the conspirators.

“Elaine Escoe allegedly helped orchestrate a sprawling scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $32 million from programs created to keep American businesses and workers afloat during the pandemic,” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said. “After being charged, she failed to appear in court and fled to Jamaica. Defendants cannot escape accountability simply by leaving the country. Thanks to the determined work of our federal, state, and international partners, she is back in South Florida and will now face the charges against her. This coordinated effort demonstrates that we will pursue fugitives wherever they go and bring them back to face justice.”

Escoe is the last remaining defendant charged in the scheme. Following a December 2025 trial, Alfred Davis, Cher Davis, and Latoya Clark were convicted by a federal jury. James McGhow and Gino Jourdan previously pleaded guilty. Alfred Davis was sentenced to 235 months’ imprisonment, Cher Davis to 87 months, Clark to 70 months, Jourdan to 46 months, and McGhow to 42 months.FBI Miami’s West Palm Beach Resident Agency is investigating the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office.

On June 4, the FBI announced the creation of the Most Wanted Fraudsters List. The list included Herb Kimble, a fugitive in a $1.2 billion telemedicine and durable medical equipment scheme, who, on June 8 just four days later was apprehended in the Philippines and was soon after charged as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.

On June 8, Escoe was added to the Most Wanted Fraudsters List, and she was apprehended less than two months later.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole of government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

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Another Dem lawmaker arrested on federal fraud charges in wild corruption scandal

Well, folks, the Massachusetts Democrat machine just keeps churning out corruption like it’s auditioning for a Scorsese flick. The latest poster boy for Bay State shadiness is State Representative Christopher Flanagan (D-First Barnstable), who got himself arrested Thursday after a federal indictment slapped him with five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. Why? Oh, just a little scheme to swipe tens of thousands from a local trade association to bankroll his midlife crisis.

This Cape Cod con artist allegedly funneled the pilfered cash into everything from mortgage payments to Macy’s menswear—because nothing screams “man of the people” like a crisp new sports coat. But wait, it gets better: Flanagan also dropped coin on psychic services (guess the spirits didn’t warn him about the feds), kids’ toys, and—naturally—his 2022 campaign. Classy.

Flanagan, 37, reps the quaint Cape towns of Dennis, Yarmouth, and Brewster, but he might be trading those seaside views for a 120-year prison stint if convicted. He was nabbed Thursday morning and is set to face a federal judge at 2:30 p.m. Wonder if he’ll wear one of those fancy ties he bought with stolen money.
The feds’ indictment reads like a bad crime novel. Back in 2021, while Flanagan was playing Executive Officer at the Home Builders Association of Cape Cod (HBA), his personal finances were a dumpster fire—overdraft fees, missed mortgage payments, the works. So, like any upstanding public servant, he allegedly started looting the nonprofit to the tune of at least $36,000 via wire transfers, PayPal, and official checks. Here’s a taste of his shopping spree:Over a grand on ties, dress shirts, and sports coats—because embezzlement demands a sharp look.

 
Hundreds for psychic readings. (Maybe he was asking, “Will I get caught?” Spoiler: Yes.)
Campaign t-shirts disguised as “office supplies.” Subtle.

 
Toys and kids’ clothes from Target—because even crooks love a bargain.

To cover his tracks, Flanagan allegedly cooked up fake expense reports and hacked into the HBA’s bookkeeping system using another employee’s credentials. According to the U.S. Attorney, he passed off luxury splurges as “office supplies” or “travel expenses.” Real genius move there, Chris.

The MA Attorney’s Office laid it bare:

 
As part of his concealment, it is alleged that Flanagan told the HBA Board that he withdrew funds to reimburse himself for HBA-related expenses that he had paid for out-of-pocket with his personal funds.

When the HBA Board requested proof, Flanagan allegedly provided two phony expense reports:

On the first expense report, Flanagan allegedly claimed he had spent $159.36 on “Technology Expenses” at Best Buy on March 4, 2022 and $537.26 on “Office Supplies” at 4Imprint on April 18, 2022.

Records of the actual purchases, however, allegedly showed that the Best Buy purchase was for a portable Bluetooth speaker and that the 4Imprint purchase was for t-shirts supporting Flanagan’s State Representative campaign:

Additionally, in the second expense report, Flanagan allegedly claimed to have spent a total of $3,784.84 on “Office Supplies.” Records of the actual purchases, however, allegedly showed that $2,118.10 of this amount was actually used for Flanagan’s personal expenses.

Specifically: $613.70 and $361.24 Best Buy purchases were allegedly for an electric dryer and an air conditioner, both delivered to Flanagan’s home; a $1,050.30 Macy’s purchase allegedly for men’s ties, dress shirts, slacks and sports coats; and a $92.86 purchase at Target allegedly for children’s clothes and toys.

But Flanagan’s grift didn’t stop at stealing. When the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) started sniffing around a shady 2022 campaign mailer from a supposed group called “Conservatives for Dennis,” he went full soap opera. The guy allegedly invented a fake persona—meet “Jeanne Louise”—and set up email accounts to play her and others, all to throw OCPF off his trail. When they questioned a $10,000 campaign donation that magically appeared post-theft, Flanagan swore it was his own money. Bank records? Yeah, they showed $42 in his account days earlier. Smooth.

As of now, this guy’s still warming a seat in office, pocketing a taxpayer-funded salary north of $100,000 a year. If convicted, he’s looking at up to 120 years in the slammer and $1.5 million in fines. A federal judge will decide his fate, but I’m guessing “psychic services” won’t help him now.

The MassGOP is, unsurprisingly, fed up, demanding Flanagan’s immediate resignation. Their statement didn’t mince words:

 
The Massachusetts Republican Party is calling on the Massachusetts Democratic Party to demand the immediate resignation of State Representative Chris Flanagan, who was arrested this week on federal fraud charges. The charges allege that Flanagan stole tens of thousands of dollars from his former employer to finance his political campaign, pay his mortgage and credit cards, and fund personal expenses including psychic services and high-end menswear.

“This is not the first time the Massachusetts Republican Party has called for Chris Flanagan to resign,” said MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale. “Back in January, when the Office of Campaign and Political Finance found Flanagan responsible for violating campaign finance laws—including fabricating a false alias to intentionally mislead his constituents—we said then that he had no place in public office. The federal charges only confirm what was already evident: Chris Flanagan is unfit to serve, and Massachusetts Democrats must demand his resignation now.”

Carnevale didn’t stop there, pointing out that Flanagan’s just one rotten apple in a very moldy Democrat barrel:

 
“The Massachusetts Democratic Party has a serious problem,” continued Carnevale. “This is not about isolated bad actors—it’s about a culture of corruption and entitlement that’s gone unchecked for far too long. The MassDems must demonstrate they are capable of holding their own accountable, starting with calling for Chris Flanagan’s resignation today.”

She’s not wrong. In just the past two weeks, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson (yep, another Dem) pleaded guilty to fraud and is somehow still in office. Then there’s a high-ranking MassDems operative nabbed for crimes too vile to print here. And now Flanagan’s playing Bernie Madoff with nonprofit funds. Pattern? You bet.

So, will the Massachusetts Dems finally grow a spine and boot Flanagan? Or will they keep circling the wagons around their own, as usual? I’m not holding my breath, but the popcorn’s ready.

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NY Democratic Lt. Gov. arrested in campaign donation scheme

Democrat Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin

New York Democratic Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin has been arrested Tuesday in a federal corruption investigation. The Democrat had only been in office in that role for seven months but it was ripe with questions and probes into a previous campaign.

The Democrat was charged with bribery, honest services wire fraud, and falsification of records.

Prior to being given the position of Lieutenant Governor, Benjamin was a Democratic state senator from Harlem and joined the unelected Gov. Kathy Hochul in September to fill her former job after she became New York's governor. She received the appointment when Democrat Andrew "Handy Andy" Cuomo was forced to resign due to ongoing inappropriate sexual activities. He did not resign for being responsible for the killing of thousands of elderly New Yorkers in nursing homes due to his stupid Covid policy of filling nursing homes with Covid patients because he was never held responsible.

Two months after Cuomo resigned and Benjamin had joined the Hochul administration, a real estate developer, Gerald Migdol, a real estate developer and lawyer who pushed campaign contributions toward Benjamin's failed bid for NY City comptroller was indicted.

Migdol was accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in illegally handing over donations to Benjamin's campaign.

In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, Benjamin was accused of participating in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin’s agreement to use his influence as a state senator to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization the developer controlled, a scheme that operated from 2019 to 2021.

The indictment said Benjamin and others acting at his direction or on his behalf also engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up the scheme.

That's a bad thing.

They falsified campaign donor forms, misled municipal regulators and provided false information in vetting forms Benjamin submitted while he was being considered to be appointed as lieutenant governor, the indictment read.

No former accusations was made by prosecutors against Benjamin. His campaign said of Migdol's arrest that it had forfeited any improper donations as soon as they were discovered. It was his hope that this would keep his sorry butt out of prison.

However, more recently, reports emerged saying that subpoenas had been issued to Benjamin regarding the financial issues even before Hochul picked him as lieutenant governor, showing us just how much Hochul has on the ball having never fully vetted him or lying.

Despite her claiming she didn’t know of the subpoenas at the time, Hochul proclaimed her support for Benjamin, and he said that he told state police of the subpoenas as they went though the process of vetting him.

“I have utmost confidence in my lieutenant governor,” Hochul said during a Thursday press conference. “This is an independent investigation related to other people and he’s fully cooperating. He is my running mate.”

There goes our confidence in Hochul. But hey, nobody elected her governor in the first place--she inherited the job from a Democratic sex predator.

“In her first major decision as governor, Kathy Hochul chose a dirty politician to serve as her partner in government and running mate. Brian Benjamin’s shady dealings and corruption were well-documented, but Hochul turned a blind eye and put him a heartbeat away from the governorship,” state Republican chairman Nick Langworthy said in a prepared statement, at the risk of being called a racist for having said something negative about a black person, even though it's true in this case.

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Benjamin was New York State's second Black lieutenant governor. During his state Legislature career, the Democrat emphasized criminal justice reform [seriously] and affordable housing. His district included most of central Harlem, where he was born and raised by Caribbean immigrant parents.

It is unclear as to whether his prison, if convicted, serves jerk chicken.

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