FBI Arrests Fugitive Accused in $32 Million COVID Relief Fraud Scheme
A Jamaican national accused of participating in a multimillion-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme has been returned to the U.S. after authorities arrested her in Jamaica, federal officials announced.
Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, arrived in South Florida on Thursday following her arrest by Jamaican law enforcement, according to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Federal prosecutors have charged Escoe with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple counts of money laundering.
According to investigators, Escoe and five co-defendants allegedly submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications for federal pandemic relief programs between May 2020 and November 2021.
The applications sought funding through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program.
Prosecutors allege the applications contained false information regarding employee counts, payroll expenses and business revenues.
Authorities said the alleged scheme resulted in approximately $29.1 million in PPP funds, $1.2 million in RRF funds and $3.8 million in SVOG funds being fraudulently obtained, totaling more than $32 million in federal relief money.
According to the FBI, Escoe and her alleged co-conspirators then transferred money among themselves and businesses they controlled, withdrew large amounts of cash and used blank signed checks in an effort to conceal the source of the proceeds.
Federal officials said all five of Escoe’s co-defendants have either pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Escoe on May 22, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Investigators said Escoe had been notified of a scheduled court appearance on June 5, 2025, but failed to appear. Authorities said she was last seen in Palm Beach County on June 3, 2025.
According to investigators, Escoe fled to Jamaica, where she allegedly lived under the assumed name “Harley Newman.”
Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, arrived in South Florida on Thursday following her arrest by Jamaican law enforcement, according to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Federal prosecutors have charged Escoe with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple counts of money laundering.
According to investigators, Escoe and five co-defendants allegedly submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications for federal pandemic relief programs between May 2020 and November 2021.
The applications sought funding through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program.
Prosecutors allege the applications contained false information regarding employee counts, payroll expenses and business revenues.
Authorities said the alleged scheme resulted in approximately $29.1 million in PPP funds, $1.2 million in RRF funds and $3.8 million in SVOG funds being fraudulently obtained, totaling more than $32 million in federal relief money.
According to the FBI, Escoe and her alleged co-conspirators then transferred money among themselves and businesses they controlled, withdrew large amounts of cash and used blank signed checks in an effort to conceal the source of the proceeds.
Federal officials said all five of Escoe’s co-defendants have either pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Escoe on May 22, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Investigators said Escoe had been notified of a scheduled court appearance on June 5, 2025, but failed to appear. Authorities said she was last seen in Palm Beach County on June 3, 2025.
According to investigators, Escoe fled to Jamaica, where she allegedly lived under the assumed name “Harley Newman.”
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