A high-profile fugitive accused of COVID-19 relief fraud, once listed among the FBI’s most wanted, has been extradited to the United States after authorities apprehended her in Jamaica. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the suspect, known as Elaine Angene Escoe, had been living under the alias “Harley Newman” while evading serious allegations linked to a $32 million pandemic relief fraud scheme.

Elaine Angene Escoe, aged 41, was brought back to South Florida on Thursday following her capture by Jamaican authorities amid an extensive federal manhunt. Prosecutors claim she was involved in fraudulently acquiring over $32 million intended for COVID-19 relief, fleeing the United States after missing a scheduled court appearance.

In 2025, Escoe faced a federal indictment with multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, as well as several counts of money laundering. These charges were levied by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, cementing her status as a high-priority target for law enforcement.

EXCLUSIVE: FBI ADDS ALLEGED COVID FRAUDSTER ACCUSED OF TAKING $5M FROM KIDS’ MEAL PROGRAM TO MOST WANTED LIST

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’ LIST

Patel called Escoe’s arrest another milestone in the FBI’s international fraud crackdown, saying she is the fourth alleged “Most Wanted Fraudster” captured in the past five weeks.

“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,” Patel said. “Elaine Angene Escoe, on the run since May 2025, was captured in Jamaica while living under a fake identity of ‘Harley Newman’ — and returned to the United States today to face justice.”

Patel said Escoe is charged with being involved in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering connected to a scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.

He added that the FBI has returned more than 30 high-value targets to the U.S. since June. Patel said four alleged fraud suspects captured over the past five weeks are collectively charged with nearly $1.8 billion in fraud after spending more than 3,500 days on the run across three continents.

“Under this administration, fraud is no longer tolerated — and those who steal from American taxpayers have nowhere to hide,” Patel said.

Authorities said the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, Jamaican law enforcement and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office coordinated Escoe’s return to the U.S.

In the wake of recent Fourth of July mayhem, a Southern California police department finds itself bracing for impact once more. The department issued a decisive advisory on Saturday, signaling the investigation of yet another unsanctioned public gathering potentially slated for the upcoming weekend.

Newport Beach’s law enforcement sent out a no-nonsense alert as officers delved into the possible orchestration of an unlawful event anticipated within days.

“We’ve seen the post,” was the department’s stern acknowledgment on social media, highlighting their awareness of the situation.

Police elaborated, stating, “The event is under active investigation, and we are working with our regional partners to identify those involved in organizing or promoting any unlawful activity.” Their message underscores a collaborative effort with other agencies to thwart potential disruptions.

Acknowledging the need for heightened vigilance, authorities have announced the deployment of additional officers throughout the city. This measure aims to forestall any recurrence of holiday disorder, ensuring communal peace and order are maintained.

Police urged visitors to respect the community — or face the consequences.

“Anyone who organizes, promotes or participates in criminal activity should expect immediate enforcement action,” Newport Beach Police stated, whether it be vandalism or unlawful assembly.

“Our priority is to protect the community, maintain public safety and respond quickly to any criminal activity.”

The department also warned that young troublemakers won’t get a free pass, noting that minors can still face “serious” consequences and liability for their actions.

The investigation comes after videos from the July 4 gathering in Newport Beach — one of Southern California’s most affluent coastal communities — spread online, showing scenes that triggered outrage and concern among residents.

More than 400 people were arrested as the gathering descended into utter chaos, with authorities later pointing to an alleged social media-fueled “TikTok Takeover” as a catalyst. There were reports of large crowds fighting and setting off illegal fireworks.

Youths and minors made up the majority of those taken into custody, and police revealed that the overwhelming majority of attendees arrested came from outside Newport Beach, such as Arizona or other parts of California.

Officials said the situation quickly turned dangerous, with people blocking roadways, restricting emergency vehicle access and throwing mortars, fireworks and other projectiles at officers. At least one officer was reportedly injured.

Clips appear to show people carrying broken street signs and looting a nearby Pavilions grocery store on West Balboa Boulevard, with cops on horseback also charging at revelers on the beach.

Mayor Lauren Kleiman previously said the city has long experienced an influx of young visitors over the Fourth of July weekend, but believes social media has intensified the problem.

“The last couple of years we’ve definitely seen an uptick, in particular kids from out of state. [It’s] not atypical, but I think that social media has really changed things,” he said.

In a significant development at the University of Michigan, Warde Manuel is set to receive a hefty $7 million buyout after choosing to step down amid a series of controversies.

According to reports from the Detroit News and Front Office Sports, Manuel will not only receive this sizeable payout but will also enjoy additional benefits as part of the agreement. Notably, his professional file will record that he has voluntarily resigned.

Originally, Manuel’s contract, lasting until 2030, promised an annual salary of approximately $2.4 million.

The Daily Mail has reached out for comments from representatives of the athletic department.

Manuel will continue with the university until the end of the year. During this time, he will remain in Ann Arbor as Kyle Whittingham, the new Wolverines football coach, begins his tenure following the dismissal of Sherrone Moore this fall.

Moore, a married father-of-three, lost his job as head football coach due to an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staffer who was later identified as his assistant, Paige Shiver. Moore was arrested a few dramatic hours later near the woman’s apartment and has since been given probation after pleading guilty to trespassing and malicious use of a telecommunications device.

Following the shocking events, the school launched an independent investigation into the practices and culture of its athletics department, conducted by Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block. And earlier this month, the University of Michigan announced that Manuel would be stepping down from his role as director of the athletics department before 2027.

The 58-year-old has led the Wolverines since 2016, heading up a department with an annual budget of about $250 million, 29 teams, 950-plus athletes and about 400 staff members – overseeing the NCAA powerhouse’s numerous successes in that time.

His tenure was marked by multiple national championships – including both the men’s football and basketball – but also numerous scandals with the controversial events of last December proving to be the final nail in the coffin.

‘Neither the investigation nor the culture review found that misconduct was widespread throughout the department,’ a summary of the investigation stated.

‘The culture review found that weaknesses in accountability, organizational structure, oversight, and reporting created conditions in which misconduct was not always addressed consistently, promptly, or in accordance with University expectations.’

The review, which has reportedly cost $12 million, added: ‘Manuel demonstrated important leadership strengths, particularly his commitment to student-athletes. At the same time, it identified failures to quickly and effectively act on allegations of wrongdoing by Athletic Department employees.’

Jenner & Block interviewed nearly 300 witnesses across 350 interviews over the course of their probe. The firm interviewed a wide range of witnesses, including coaches, athletics staff, student-athletes, University leaders, human resources personnel, and other stakeholders.

They also followed more than 90 leads from a hotline they established to gather information and reviewed more than 20,000 records.

Moore was accused of confronting staffer Paige Shiver, with whom he had been having an affair, and blaming her for his firing. Authorities said she had previously ended the affair and spoken to school officials about it.

The coach was accused of barging his way through Shiver’s door, grabbing butter knives and scissors before threatening to kill himself. The 40-year-old father of three was arrested and charged with home invasion and stalking as well as breaking and entering.

Moore pleaded no contest to trespassing and malicious use of a telecom device and was placed on probation in April for 18 months.

It wasn’t the first scandal to rock the school’s athletic department in recent years – albeit it was the most shocking.

In March 2025, former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was charged with hacking and accused by federal prosecutors of stealing thousands of private, intimate images of student-athletes. Weiss pleaded not guilty to all 24 charges.

In 2018, Michigan’s ex-director of performance science, Fergus Connolly, was arrested for DUI – but was also hit with multiple counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer.

After being transported to a hospital, Connolly allegedly attempted to bite someone. He later pleaded no contest to five of the nine misdemeanor charges against him, with prosecutors dropping other counts.

In 2023, Glenn ‘Shemy’ Schembechler – the son of longtime Michigan coach Bo Schembechler – resigned three days after he was hired following social media activity that was deemed to be concerning and harmful by the school.

Michigan was also hit with NCAA sanctions over the sign-stealing scheme orchestrated by former football staffer Connor Stalions.

There were also allegations of physical and verbal abuse against now-former Michigan basketball coach, Juwan Howard, including one incident in which he slapped an assistant coach on an opposing team during post-game handshakes.

However, Michigan has also seen a lot of success under Manuel’s tenure. The football team won the national championship in January 2024 under then-head coach Jim Harbaugh, who subsequently left the program to join the Los Angeles Chargers.

And in addition to five Frozen Four appearances for the men’s hockey team since 2018, Michigan also won its second national championship in basketball back in April under coach Dusty May, who has since been hired by the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

In a dramatic turn of events in Queens, a towering inferno inside an apartment complex left almost 24 people injured, including a significant contingent of New York City firefighters.

According to Kevin Woods, the FDNY’s chief of Fire Operations, firefighters received the alarming call just before 10 a.m. Upon arrival, they found two-storied, wooden structures completely engulfed in flames, with the fire threatening a neighboring building.

Woods detailed that the rescue teams bravely maneuvered into the searing hot environment on the second floor, where visibility was virtually zero, to save a resident who was trapped.

Those affected were promptly transported to the hospital for treatment.

In total, 17 firefighters were injured, two members of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and two civilians.

None of the injuries are life-threatening, Woods said.

“We want to thank the staff at all of these area hospitals for taking care of our personnel,” Woods added.

He said the fifth-alarm fire, which corresponds to using 250 firefighters, left “heavy damage” to the building and many of the families are displaced.

Woods added that the historic residences were built in 1930 and completely made of wood.

The fire is under control, he said, adding that the cause is under investigation.

Jimmy Garoppolo might just have reopened the conversation about solving the Rams’ ever-evolving backup quarterback dilemma.

Despite flirting with retirement, the seasoned quarterback, at 34, seems inclined to extend his NFL journey, provided the right opportunity arises. Reports from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo suggest a potential return to Los Angeles is on the cards, with head coach Sean McVay openly expressing interest in welcoming Garoppolo back into the fold.

“I love Jimmy,” McVay declared earlier this year. “Would absolutely want him back. He’s been tremendous for the last couple of years.”

This potential reunion could spell trouble for Stetson Bennett.

The Rams, having picked Alabama’s Ty Simpson as the 13th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, have clearly set their sights on a quarterback to eventually succeed Matthew Stafford. While McVay has labeled the backup position as a battle between Simpson and Bennett, it would be unexpected for the team to sideline their first-round pick in favor of a former fourth-round choice.

Bennett has spent three years learning McVay’s offense but has yet to appear in a regular-season game. If Simpson claims the No. 2 job and the Rams bring back Garoppolo, Bennett could the odd man out.

Garoppolo would also give Los Angeles a layer of protection it lacked after his contract expired.

Stafford missed much of training camp last year while dealing with a back injury that briefly raised concerns about a possible injured-reserve stint. Garoppolo provided a steady veteran presence during that period, allowing the Rams to manage Stafford carefully without forcing Bennett into a role he had not earned.

Stafford eventually returned and won MVP, but the episode illustrated why Los Angeles may not want Simpson or Bennett to be its only emergency option. Simpson was drafted for the future and throwing him into a championship race before he is ready could disrupt that development.

Garoppolo owns a 43-21 record as a starter and has extensive experience in the NFC West. He may prefer an opportunity to compete for a starting job, but few teams currently offer one.

Arizona has also been mentioned as a possible destination. Indianapolis and New England could use more experienced insurance behind Daniel Jones and Drake Maye, while a San Francisco reunion could become possible if the 49ers trade Mac Jones. Garoppolo could also wait for an injury to create a better opening during camp.

The Rams, however, offer familiarity, a Super Bowl-caliber roster and a coach who has repeatedly praised him.

They also offer something Bennett may not: a proven route onto the field.

Troy Jackson, a former logger and state legislator, has clinched the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate race in Maine. This decision comes after the Democratic Party found itself in urgent need of a candidate following Graham Platner’s sudden withdrawal due to allegations of sexual assault, which Platner has denied. 

Delegates gathered for a special election on Saturday, where Jackson emerged as the frontrunner. His previous gubernatorial campaign garnered him national recognition and made him a favorite within progressive circles. 

In a decisive victory, Jackson secured the support of 566 out of 571 delegates. Nonetheless, the newly chosen nominee is already battling criticism, labeled by some as ‘hot-headed’ in media reports. 

Within the past week, reports from CNN and the Washington Post highlighted accounts of Jackson’s fiery temperament, citing an incident where he allegedly hurled a water bottle during a meeting. 

Individuals who worked alongside Jackson during his time leading the Maine Senate have characterized his leadership approach as ‘very aggressive,’ adding more fuel to the ongoing discourse surrounding his candidacy. 

‘It’s one thing to be screaming when you’re just mad about the world or sad about the world. But his screaming felt like intentional intimidation. So you would feel like, then, what else is he going to do?’ one anonymous source told the Washington Post. 

Multiple sources recounted an infamous ‘water bottle incident’ where Jackson became irate, banged on the table and cursed at lawmakers over gun control policy. 

Then-House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross reportedly kicked him out of her office after the outburst. 

However, a second person in the room told the Washington Post that Jackson did not slam his hand on the table or curse, clarifying that Ross and Jackson had a ‘heated argument’ about red-flag laws.

The ‘water bottle incident’ has also emerged as a potential flashpoint of Jackson’s upcoming campaign. 

Differing recollections have been recounted to the media. Sources told the Washington Post that the argument stemmed from a bill to lower prescription drug prices between Jackson and former State Senator Heather Sanborn. 

As the conversation became heated, Jackson ‘threw’ a water bottle. One source described his behavior as ‘screaming and hollering,’ throwing the bottle ‘an inch from her nose.’ 

However, State Senator Mark Lawrence and former State Senator Susan Deschambault disputed that recollection, acknowledging that Jackson was angry but denying that he threw the water bottle close to Sanborn. 

Jackson’s campaign admitted to CNN that he tossed a water bottle during a heated confrontation but denied that it was thrown at anyone. 

‘Troy Jackson is passionate and deeply invested in the people and policies he advocates for,’ his campaign said in a statement. 

‘Over 22 years in public office, there have been moments when he let his frustration get the better of him. When that happened, he took responsibility and apologized directly at the time.’

However, many of Jackson’s colleagues stood up for him as a passionate lawmaker and as what the Democrats need to stand up to President Donald Trump.

‘If everyone is happy with you all the time, you’re not doing your job in politics… He doesn’t run things like he’s coddling in kindergarten,’ Jennifer DeChant, another former state House Democrat who worked with Jackson, told CNN. 

Charlotte Warren, a former state representative, told the Washington Post that even though she also had a heated dispute with Jackson, the two later made up and she believed he would fight if elected to the Senate. 

Democrats are placing heavy bets on Jackson, who has only 99 days to defeat longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. 

Republicans have already launched an ad campaign against Jackson, accusing him of having a volatile temper and linking him to Platner. 

The Senate Leadership Fund, Republicans’ super PAC, said it is committed to spending over $42 million against Jackson. 

Maine’s Democratic primary was one of the early contests where progressives took on establishment-backed Democrats. 

While Platner faced several controversies during his campaign, he easily outlasted Governor Janet Mills, who was backed by Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer but dropped out before the June 9 primary. 

Platner had backing from Sanders, Senator Ruben Gallego and Senator Elizabeth Warren. That support disintegrated after a former girlfriend accused him of assaulting her in 2021.

The allegation came after a string of scandals involving a past offensive tattoo, problematic Reddit posts and a pattern of concerning behavior with women in a New York Times report. 

Platner denied all sexual assault allegations and maintained that his past social media posts and tattoo came at a time when he was struggling with mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder from his time as a combat veteran.