FBI agents captured Elaine Escoe in Jamaica and returned her to the Southern District of Florida to face federal charges tied to an alleged scheme that sought more than $32 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Elaine Escoe, 41, was indicted in 2025 on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple substantive counts of wire fraud and money laundering. A federal arrest warrant issued in May 2025 preceded her failure to appear in court and her flight to Jamaica. Jamaican authorities located and detained her after receiving a tip, and she has been returned to South Florida.
Federal officials say Escoe and co-conspirators submitted or caused the submission of fraudulent applications seeking more than $32 million in Paycheck Protection Program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds. The filings allegedly misrepresented payroll, revenue, and operations for purported businesses to qualify for and maximize federal relief. To support the applications, the conspirators reportedly created fake tax documents, fabricated bank records, and other false financial records relied upon by lenders and program administrators.
“This Most Wanted Fraudster allegedly obtained tens of millions in COVID-19 relief, stealing critical resources from legitimate businesses during a national crisis,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. She was returned to the United States through coordinated work by 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, and the JCF Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team.
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald said, “Elaine Angene Escoe’s arrest and return to the United States demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of American justice.” He added, “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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel noted the capture as part of a broader effort, saying, “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.” He continued, “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.”
Prosecutors say some applications were submitted on behalf of businesses controlled by the conspirators, while others were filed for third parties in exchange for substantial kickbacks, sometimes as much as 50 percent of the loan proceeds. The alleged fraud proceeds were subsequently laundered among participants in the scheme. Escoe is described as the last remaining defendant charged in the conspiracy.
Following a December 2025 trial, co-defendants Alfred Davis, Cher Davis, and Latoya Clark were convicted by a federal jury. Other participants, James McGhow and Gino Jourdan, previously pleaded guilty. Sentences handed down include Alfred Davis at 235 months, Cher Davis at 87 months, Latoya Clark at 70 months, Gino Jourdan at 46 months, and James McGhow at 42 months.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones commented, “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.” He added, “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.”
The investigation was led by FBI Miami’s West Palm Beach Resident Agency with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations Miami and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. Authorities allege the conspirators used falsified documents to convince lenders and grant administrators to approve funding. Investigators traced the flow of money and the laundering network among the defendants to build the case.
The FBI created the Most Wanted Fraudsters List on June 4 as part of a push to spotlight major fraud targets, and several fugitives added to the list were quickly apprehended overseas. One notable capture occurred in the Philippines shortly after that list was announced, and Escoe herself was added to the roster on June 8 and taken into custody less than two months later. Federal officials say the work reflects a sustained, interagency focus on fraud tied to pandemic relief programs.
Authorities stress that applications for relief funds were sometimes filed by conspirators for third parties in exchange for kickbacks and that false documentation was routine in the scheme. Those alleged practices, officials say, diverted taxpayer-funded aid from legitimate businesses that needed support during the pandemic. With Escoe back in custody, prosecutors intend to proceed with the remaining charges against her in the Southern District of Florida.
