Durrant Pate / Contributor

In an Our Today news follow-up……A South Florida woman, captured in Jamaica after landing on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list yesterday, pleaded not guilty to federal charges tied to an alleged multimillion-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme 

Elaine Escoe appeared in federal court yesterday for her arraignment before Magistrate Judge Brandy Brentari Galler, according to court records. She waived a formal reading of the indictment, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and demanded a trial by jury in the proceeding, which lasted about seven minutes.

The judge also granted a request for a standing discovery order, which requires the prosecution and defence to exchange information and comply with the Southern District of Florida’s criminal discovery rules. Motions involving issues not covered by the order generally must be filed within 28 days.

Captured in Jamaica

Escoe’s plea comes weeks after authorities said she was captured in Jamaica following a tip about her whereabouts and returned to South Florida to face prosecution. She was placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list, as investigators sought her in connection with an alleged scheme involving more than US$32 million in federal pandemic relief funds. 

The FBI had offered a reward of up to US $150,000 for information leading to her arrest and conviction. Federal prosecutors allege Escoe and others submitted fraudulent applications seeking money through programs including the Paycheck Protection Program, Restaurant Revitalisation Fund, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Investigators allege the applications relied on fake tax documents, fabricated banking records and false information about businesses. Authorities have also alleged some applications involved businesses controlled by members of the group, while other applicants paid kickbacks of as much as 50% of the relief money they received. 

Prosecutors say proceeds from the alleged scheme were then laundered among those involved. According to federal authorities, Escoe became a fugitive after failing to appear for a court proceeding in 2025. A federal arrest warrant was issued in May 2025, and investigators said she was last seen in Palm Beach County before leaving the country.

The FBI later added her to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list, where a tip eventually led investigators to her in Jamaica. Jamaican authorities took her into custody before she was returned to the Southern District of Florida in July.

Several other defendants tied to the alleged scheme have already been convicted or pleaded guilty, according to federal authorities. Escoe was described by prosecutors as the last remaining defendant charged in the case.