Jamaica arrest returns Florida COVID-relief fraud suspect to face federal charges

Elaine Angene Escoe, 41, a South Florida woman tied to a $32 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, was captured in Jamaica and extradited back to Florida to face federal charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say she and others filed more than 90 fraudulent applications for PPP, EIDL, RRF, and SVOG programs, resulting in roughly $34 million disbursed, with proceeds laundered through payments to associates and businesses. Escoe was named on the FBI’s new Most Wanted Fraudsters list, and several co-defendants have already been sentenced.