DONKEY: Lawyer Steals $4.4M In COVID Funds for Romance... Breaks Down During Sentencing

Summary

Podcast Summary: Donkey of the Day – Lawyer Steals $4.4M in COVID Funds for Romance

Podcast: Donkey of the Day (Power 105.1 FM, WWPR-FM)
Host(s): Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, DJ Envy, Lauren LaRosa
Episode Title: DONKEY: Lawyer Steals $4.4M In COVID Funds for Romance... Breaks Down During Sentencing
Date: March 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode of “Donkey of the Day,” Charlamagne Tha God and the team focus on the astonishing case of Brian McKenna, a Manhattan real estate attorney who stole $4.4 million of COVID relief funds, allegedly to fund a romance with a CEO. The crew discusses McKenna’s crime, his emotional courtroom breakdown, and launches into a spirited debate about whether romance can truly be “funded.” The segment explores themes of greed, privilege, misguided intentions, and misconceptions about love and relationships.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Who Is Brian McKenna, and What Did He Do?

• [03:30] Angela Yee introduces Brian McKenna, labeling him as a "disgraced real estate attorney" now sentenced to up to six years in prison.
• McKenna, at 62, stole $4.4 million from COVID funds meant for protective gear—during a period when these resources were desperately needed.
• The motive? Allegedly to impress his then-girlfriend, Dooney Zanae, who was the CEO of Aston's Group.

“What do men usually risk it all for? That poom. Poom, okay? … Brian McKenna is being accused of stealing $4.4 million intended for Covid protective gear, allegedly to fund a romance with his then girlfriend.” – Angela Yee [03:36]

2. Courtroom Breakdown

• [04:10 & 06:35] Multiple times, the show plays McKenna’s remorseful courtroom confession, where he tearfully accepts responsibility:

“I get these crimes and I deserve to go to jail. I don't know what else to say for myself.” – Brian McKenna (court audio) [04:14; 06:40]

• Charlamagne comments on the rare honesty, but ultimately holds McKenna accountable.

“All right, listen, McKenna, I understand and I really appreciate you taking full responsibility, but ultimately, sir…” – Charlamagne Tha God [04:19]

3. Moral Outrage and Dissection of the Crime

• Angela Yee is particularly disgusted, noting the severe breach of ethics given McKenna’s privileged and educated background.
• Emphasizes the gravity of stealing from people in need during a global crisis.
• She expresses doubt about the legitimacy of “funding a romance”:

“Romance can’t be funded… You can't buy love, fool.” – Angela Yee [05:51]

• Yee also points out the absurdity of stealing to impress someone who’s already successful herself.

4. Excuses and Counterpoints

• [06:50] McKenna’s defense attorney claims he was struggling financially and “trying to help his family.” Prosecutors allege otherwise: the stolen funds benefited McKenna and his girlfriend.
• Angela Yee rejects both excuses as invalid and highlights how most people suffering hardships do not turn to crime.

5. The Real Consequence

• Recurring joke about what life will be like for McKenna in prison, underscoring the fallout from his choices.
• Broader lesson: “Life is a matter of choices. And every choice you make makes you.”
• Angela queues the show's signature “sweet sounds of the Hamiltones” to mark McKenna earning “Donkey of the Day.” [08:06]

6. Debate: Can You Fund a Romance?

• Charlamagne opens the phone lines to discuss the concept.
• DJ Envy jokes about his own “sugar daddy” experiences, but both he and Angela Yee argue that gifts and financial support do not equate to real romance.

“You have to make the other person feel valued and wanted and showing up consistently there. Those are things you cannot put a price [on].” – DJ Envy [09:18]

• Angela Yee makes a clear distinction between funding experiences and authentic connection.

“But those aren't [romantic experiences]. They're not romantic experiences… If you actually had a physical attraction to this person… You know, just a sugar daddy sitting in the tree.” – Angela Yee [09:35]

• The crew laughs about the blurred line between gifts, love, and “tricking.”

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On crime and accountability:

  “You just stole the money for it, all right? A man who didn't need it, okay? You're a lawyer, you 62 years old, Brian. So you were in your 50s when you came up with this scam.” – Angela Yee [04:29]

• On romance and money:

  “Romance can’t be funded… You can't buy love, fool.” – Angela Yee [05:51]

• Classic tongue-in-cheek banter on “sugar daddy” culture:

  “Absolutely. Big sugar daddy back in the day.” – DJ Envy [09:04]

  “Well, he can't get in the damn tree. But listen—” – DJ Envy [09:47]

• Summing up the lesson:

  “Life is a matter of choices. And every choice you make makes you.” – Angela Yee [07:16]

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Important Timestamps

• [03:30] – Introduction of Brian McKenna and details of the crime
• [04:14; 06:40] – Audio of McKenna’s emotional courtroom confession
• [05:10 – 07:00] – Angela Yee’s commentary on privilege, criminality, and the illusion of “funding” romance
• [08:06 – 08:27] – Show’s signature “Hamiltones” wrap-up
• [08:33 – 09:57] – Debate on “funding a romance,” first-person anecdotes, and comic relief

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Takeaways

• Stealing public funds, especially in a crisis, is intolerable—particularly when done by those with privilege and resources.
• Attempting to buy or “fund” genuine romance is fruitless and, at worst, self-destructive.
• True connection and love cannot be bought—intent matters more than material offerings.
• Choices matter: wrongheaded shortcuts have lasting consequences.

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For listeners: This episode blends serious ethical critique with lighthearted banter, ultimately reaffirming that the pursuit of genuine relationships and ethical living can’t be replaced by monetary shortcuts or criminal behavior. If you missed it, these key highlights capture the messages and the laughs.

Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Angela Yee]

your execution on the donkey of the day is something to behold.

[DJ Envy]

They gave me donkey of the day and I deserve it.

[Angela Yee]

People need to know. Well, you need to tell them I am because you have the voice. Tell them it's time for donkey of the day.

[DJ Envy]

It's a read, but you're so good

[Angela Yee]

at it, you're trying to be a fake ass. Charlamagne.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Damn, Charlemagne, who you giving Dusty of the day to now?

[Angela Yee]

Well, sexy Red donkey of the day for Wednesday, March 25th goes to a Manhattan real estate attorney named Brian McKenna. Now, Brian is going to prison, ladies and gentlemen, okay? That's why the New York Post referred to him as disgraced real estate attorney Brian McKenna. He's 62 years old and he's going to prison for up to six years. Why? What do men usually risk it all for? That poom. Poom, okay? That kitty, that undercarriage, that cookie, that penis fly trap. Yes. Brian McKenna is being accused of stealing $4.4 million intended for Covid protective gear, allegedly to fund a romance with his then girlfriend. Oh, the power of the p. U. S. I can't spell the rest. Would you like to hear his reaction in the court? Let's listen. I get these crimes and I deserve to go to jail. I don't know what else to say for myself.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All right, listen, McKenna, I understand and I really appreciate you taking full responsibility, but ultimately, sir.

[Angela Yee]

All right, now, there's so many things that disgust me about this story. Number one, you stole all this money from people who needed it, okay? Folks needed that Covid protective gear during COVID and you just stole it, okay? You just stole the money for it, all right? A man who didn't need it, okay? You're a lawyer, you 62 years old, Brian. So you were in your 50s when you came up with this scam. Because what Kobe was Covid was six years ago, Okay? I don't understand people who literally have the world in their hand. You have worked hard to become an attorney in this country, okay? You more than a lot of People understand the process of life. You understand life is a process, okay? Becoming a lawyer takes at least seven years of full time higher education in this country, all right? Four years for a bachelor's degree. Three years of law school. You have to pass the bar exam. They got a baby bar and the big bar. My point is, it's not easy. And nothing in life worth having ever is. But for some reason, you thought you could cut the line. You thought you could take a $4.4 million shortcut, all to impress a woman who already has her own money. He was dating the then CEO of Aston's Group. Her name was Dooney Zanae, okay? That's according to the New York Post. I don't know how much she was making, but if she was the CEO of a company, she was touching some paper. So I don't know why you went out of your way, Brian, to impress her. And I don't even like that phrase, fund a romance. You don't fund a romance. Romance happens because of physical attraction, emotional connection, situational factors, okay? Y' all might just match energies, all right? You like the same things, share the same beliefs. And let's not forget the most important part, reciprocal liking. Okay? You like me, I like you. Romance can't be funded. Now, you can go buy some pink taco with some money, all right? Go to Nevada, pull up in certain counties at a brothel, and you can purchase as much as that Harry Potter as you want. But funding a romance? I don't even want no romance. That's funded because there's no such thing. You can't buy love, fool. Now, Brian was in the courtroom crying his ass off. I want y' all to hear this again, man. Just listen. I did these crimes. I deserve to control. I don't know what else to say for myself.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All right, Mr. McKenna, I understand, and I really appreciate you taking full responsibility.

[Angela Yee]

But ultimately, sir. I know, right? Ultimately what it was. Ultimately what? He is going to jail for six years. I respect that he's holding himself accountable, okay? He said he did these crimes. He said he deserves to go to jail. Now, his defense lawyer, Eric Franz, claimed to the court that Brian had run into financial struggles and that he was just trying to help his family with the stolen funds. With assist, NBA Jonathan Borrell alleged that Brian stole the money to spend on himself and his gal pal, Dooney Zanae. Listen, neither one of those are valid reasons. So many people are having financial struggles, and sadly, they don't have the luxury of resorting to crime to get it. Okay? And You, Brian, were in a privileged position already. Not just a privileged position to get money because you were a lawyer, you know what I'm saying? But also a Manhattan real estate attorney. Should be able to get his hands on some happy clam. But nope, instead, you gotta guard your balloon. Not for the next six years in somebody's prison. Okay. Probably get ass warts. And for what? The moral of the story is, life is a matter of choices. And every choice you make makes you. Please give Brian McKenna the sweetest he. The big. The sweet. The sweet sounds of the Hamiltones. That's what I want. Had to think about it. You are the donkey of the day.

[DJ Envy]

You are the doggie of the day.

[Angela Yee]

He haul. I started to say, give Brian McKenna a Swedish hee Haw, but that sounds like something you can purchase a lot of brothel in Nevada.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All right, well, let's open up the phone lines. Right? Let's talk about funding a romance.

[Angela Yee]

I don't think there's no such thing.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

800-585-1051. Is there such thing as funding a romance? Now, I looked this up. Meaning chat. GPT says usually means financially supporting a romantic relationship, Paying for trips, gifts, dinners, lifestyle.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Damn.

[DJ Envy]

Why you let nobody else talk before

[Charlamagne Tha God]

you make someone live a certain way? That's the definition. Why have you been in a funded romance before?

[Angela Yee]

I don't believe you can fund a romance.

[DJ Envy]

It's not even. You can fund the experience of romance. You know what I mean? But no, no, not, not. No.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Has somebody funded your romance before?

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely. Big sugar daddy back in the day.

[Angela Yee]

But that don't mean it was romance.

[DJ Envy]

I get it. I get it.

[Angela Yee]

Like, you and Chris are in love.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely.

[Angela Yee]

That's your hus. Yeah. Y' all got a child. Y' all could pull up to a pizza place and it's romantic because y' all two are in love.

[DJ Envy]

Yes. You have to make the other person feel valued and wanted and showing up consistently there. Those are things you cannot put a price.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But how was somebody funded your romance before Experience?

[DJ Envy]

You know, surprise trips, flowers, gifts, a car.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

House.

[DJ Envy]

You got a car, you know, thanks. I said, it's the sugar daddy days.

[Angela Yee]

But those aren't. Those are just experiences. They're not romantic experiences. Romantic experiences. If you actually had a physical attraction to this person. If you liked him, he liked you. You know, Jess and sugar daddy sitting in the tree.

[DJ Envy]

Well, he can't get in the damn tree. But listen. No, no.

[Angela Yee]

All right, all right.

[DJ Envy]

Well, then, yeah, that was me acting romantic like I was.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So you acted like that to give more gifts.

[DJ Envy]

Yes, exactly.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you didn't really love the guy.

[Angela Yee]

Okay.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

She's playing.

[DJ Envy]

That's what that is. Okay. Yeah. So. Well, he pretty much. Yeah. And I was the tricky, right?

[Angela Yee]

Or a hoe.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I wasn't gonna say that. I wasn't gonna say that.

[DJ Envy]

More than one sugar daddy, so I wasn't no hoe.

[Angela Yee]

Okay.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All right. Well, let's open up the phone lines. Can you fund a romance? 800-585-1051. Is that a thing?

[Angela Yee]

No.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Let's discuss.

[DJ Envy]

No.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's the Breakfast Club.

[Angela Yee]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

Hey y', all, it's Lauren LaRosa. Have you ever had one of those weeks where your curls are just parched? Like no matter what you do, they are begging for moisture? Cantu heard you loud and clear with their new Ultra Moisture Collection. Powered by Batanna Oil and Jamaican Black Castor Oil, this new line is clinically proven to help retain moisture for up to five days. Delivers up to five days of non stop hydration. Five whole days, y'. All. The shampoo gently cleanses without stripping and the leave in and stylers keep curls soft, defined and hydrated long after your wash day. Plus it's free of sulfates, parabens, silicones and mineral oils. If your curls have been craving real hydration, then this is it. So if your hair's curls have been so thirsty, go ahead and try that new Cantu Ultra Moisture Collection. Your curls will thank you. It's available now at Walmart, Target and Amazon. So go get it. This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.