SF real estate investor wanted in pandemic relief scam for over 6 months finally in custody

August 7, 2026 - 12:19

A San Francisco real estate investor who spent more than half a year evading authorities over an alleged pandemic relief fraud has been taken into custody. Luke Brugnara, known in some circles as "Lucky Luke," was arrested this week, closing a chapter that began with charges tied to bogus COVID-19 business loans.

Brugnara's legal history is already crowded. He has prior convictions for violating the Endangered Species Act, filing false tax returns, and wire and mail fraud connected to an $11 million art scheme. But the latest case adds a new layer. Prosecutors say he threatened someone with a 9mm Glock at Thornton State Beach, and separately, he is accused of gaming the government's pandemic assistance program for personal gain.

The exact details of the loan application remain under seal, but court records suggest Brugnara sought funds meant for struggling small businesses, using false information to secure money he was not entitled to. After the charges were filed, he disappeared, prompting a six-month manhunt that ended quietly this week.

His attorney has not yet commented on the arrest. Brugnara now faces additional charges for fleeing, which could lengthen any potential sentence. The case is set to move forward in federal court, where prosecutors will likely push for detention given his flight risk and prior record.

For now, the investor who once moved freely through San Francisco's high-end property market is back in custody, with the pandemic fraud charges adding to a long list of legal troubles.