FIRST ON FOX: One of the FBI's most wanted alleged COVID-19 fraud fugitives has been returned to the United States after authorities captured her in Jamaica, where FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital she had been living under the fake identity "Harley Newman" while evading charges tied to a $32 million pandemic relief fraud scheme.Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, arrived back in South Florida Thursday after Jamaican authorities arrested her following a federal manhunt.Prosecutors allege she helped fraudulently obtain more than $32 million in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief funds before fleeing the country after failing to appear in federal court.Escoe was indicted in 2025 on charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple counts of money laundering, according to the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.EXCLUSIVE: FBI ADDS ALLEGED COVID FRAUDSTER ACCUSED OF TAKING $5M FROM KIDS' MEAL PROGRAM TO MOST WANTED LISTElaine Angene Escoe is accused of participating in a scheme that allegedly defrauded federal COVID-19 relief programs of more than $32 million.Authorities say she was returned to the United States after being captured in Jamaica.
(Federal Bureau of Investigation)Federal prosecutors said a judge issued an arrest warrant after Escoe failed to appear in court in May 2025.Authorities allege she fled to Jamaica, where she was later located and arrested after the FBI received a tip."Elaine Angene Escoe's arrest and return to the United States demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of American justice," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.Blanche said Escoe is accused of participating in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief programs and said the Justice Department will continue prosecuting those who steal from the American people.FBI NABS ALLEGED $547M MEDICARE FRAUD FUGITIVE OVERSEAS, THIRD CAPTURE FROM 'MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS' ...