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

Summary

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The Breakfast Club – Donkey of the Day: Lawyer Steals $4.4M in COVID Funds for Romance… Breaks Down During Sentencing

Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Producer: The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

This episode centers around the “Donkey of the Day” segment awarded to Brian McKenna, a 62-year-old Manhattan real estate lawyer convicted of stealing $4.4 million in COVID-relief funds. The money, intended for protective gear during the pandemic, was instead used to fund the lawyer's lavish romantic pursuits, notably with a CEO girlfriend. Charlamagne Tha God sharply critiques the absurdity and moral bankruptcy of McKenna’s actions, sparking a broader Breakfast Club discussion about whether a romance can actually be “funded,” the nature of transactional relationships, and personal anecdotes from the hosts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Donkey of the Day” Breakdown

• Context of the Crime:

  • Brian McKenna, a Manhattan real estate attorney, stole $4.4 million earmarked for COVID personal protective equipment.
  • The New York Post labeled him “disgraced,” and he now faces up to six years in prison.
  • McKenna’s actions were largely motivated by his romantic relationship with Dooney Zanae, then CEO of Aston’s Group, highlighting a desire to impress her.

• Charlamagne’s Critique:

  • Strongly condemns the misuse of life-saving funds for personal gain.
  • Questions why a well-established lawyer would turn to crime for romance, especially with a financially independent partner.
  • Emphasizes the hard work and years that go into becoming an attorney, making McKenna's shortcut both baffling and disgraceful.

  “You have worked hard to become an attorney... 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.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 04:43)

• Realism about Love & Money:

  • Charlamagne argues romance cannot be “funded”—real romance is about connection, not money.
  • Notable humor and slang: "You can go buy some pink taco with some money... but funding a romance? Nah, nah, nah, nah. I don't even want no romance that's funded because there’s no such thing.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 05:23)

• Courtroom Audio:

  • McKenna’s tearful courtroom statement is played for listeners:

    “I did these crimes and I deserve to go to jail. I don't know what else to say for myself.” (Brian McKenna, courtroom audio, 04:23 & 06:51)

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2. Hosts’ Reactions & Broader Moral Reflections

• Accountability & Status:

  • The hosts note that McKenna’s acceptance of responsibility is rare, yet does not excuse his crime.
  • Express skepticism over McKenna’s lawyer’s claim that the theft was to help his family:

    “So many people are having financial struggles... they don't have the luxury of resorting to crime to get it.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 07:11)

• On Privilege and Consequence:

  • Commentary on privilege, choices, and consequences:

    “Life is a matter of choices. And every choice you make makes you.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 07:44)

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3. Debate: Can You “Fund” a Romance?

(08:38–10:28)

• Opening the Phones: The segment pivots to listener interaction, with Angela asking if anyone’s ever “funded” or been in a “funded romance.”

  • Definition (per ChatGPT): “Financially supporting a romantic relationship—paying for trips, gifts, dinners, lifestyle.” (Angela Yee, 08:45)

• Differentiating Romance from Transaction:

  • Charlamagne: “You can fund the experience of romance. But you can’t fund romance itself.”
  • Angela: Admits to receiving financial support in past relationships—“Big sugar daddy back in the day.”
  • Lauren LaRosa: Lists out gifts she’s received—trips, flowers, gifts, even a car and house—but clarifies, “Those are just experiences... those are not romantic unless the connection is real.”
  • Banter about “sugar daddy” dynamics, with humor and honesty about the role of genuine affection vs. transactional ties.

  “You and Chris are in love. That's your husband. Y’all got a child. Y’all could pull up to a pizza place. And it's romantic because y’all too are in love.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 09:22)

  “You have to make the other person feel valued and wanted and showing up consistently, those are things you can’t put a price [on].” (Lauren LaRosa, 09:33)

  • Reflection on transaction vs. romance:

    “So you acted like that to get more gifts?” — “Yes, exactly.” (Angela Yee & Charlamagne, 10:06)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charlamagne condemns McKenna’s shortcuts:

  “Becoming a lawyer takes at least seven years of full time higher education in this country… nothing in life worth having ever is.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 04:54)

• On “funding” romance:

  “Romance can't be funded... You can't buy love, fool.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 05:15)

• Angela on “funded” romance:

  “Big sugar daddy back in the day. But that don’t mean it was romance.” (Angela Yee, 09:10)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:41–08:15 — “Donkey of the Day” Reveal & Critique
• 04:23 & 06:51 — Brian McKenna’s tearful courtroom admission
• 08:38–10:28 — Debate & Banter: “Can you fund a romance?”
• 09:18–09:44 — Hosts’ real-life anecdotes about funded experiences
• 09:33 — Lauren on what money can—and can’t—buy in relationships

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Summary

A timely, provocative episode that blends sharp social commentary, the hosts’ trademark humor, and real-life reflection. Using the cautionary tale of Brian McKenna, the hosts dissect the lines between love, money, and accountability—challenging the myth of “funding” romance and reminding listeners that, even in high-stakes situations, genuine human connection can’t be bought.

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Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

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[Angela Yee]

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[Charlamagne tha God]

Day is something to behold. Is it a reason?

[Lauren LaRosa]

He gave me Donkey of the Day

[Charlamagne tha God]

and I deserve the. People need to know.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Well, you need to tell them.

[Angela Yee]

I am.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You have the voice. Tell them it's time for Donkey of the Day. It's a read, but you're so good at it, you're trying to be a fake ass Charlemagne. There's only one Charlemagne involved.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Damn Charlemagne. Who you giving Dustier today to now?

[Charlamagne tha God]

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 did these crimes and I deserve to go to jail. I don't know what else to say for myself.

[Lauren LaRosa]

All right, Mr. McKenna, I understand and

[Charlamagne tha God]

I really appreciate you taking full responsibility, but ultimately, sir.

[Angela Yee]

All right,

[Charlamagne tha God]

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 covet 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. Kobe was six years ago, okay? I don't understand people who literally have the world in their. 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? Nah, nah, nah, nah. 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 go to jail. I don't know what else to say for myself.

[Lauren LaRosa]

All right, Mr. McKenna, I understand.

[Angela Yee]

I. I really appreciate you taking full

[Lauren LaRosa]

responsibility, but ultimately, sir.

[Angela Yee]

There you go.

[Charlamagne tha God]

All right. Ultimately what? 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. But assistant D. A. Jonathan Borrell Alleged that Brian stole the money to spend on himself and his gal pal. Dooney's a. Nate, listen. Neither one of those 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 clamor. 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, the big, the sweet, the sweet sounds of the Hamiltones. That's what I want.

[Angela Yee]

You the donkey of the day. You are the doggie of the day.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I started to say, give Brian McKenna a Swedish he Haw, but that sounds like something you can purchase.

[Angela Yee]

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

[Charlamagne tha God]

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

[Angela Yee]

800-585-105. What is there such thing as funding a romance? Now, I looked this up. Meaning chat GPT. This usually means financially supporting a romantic relationship. Paying for trips, gifts, dinners, lifestyle.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Damn.

[Angela Yee]

Why you let nobody else talk before you help someone live a certain way? That is. That's the definition. Why have you been in a funded romance before?

[Charlamagne tha God]

I don't believe you can fund a romance.

[Angela Yee]

It's not even.

[Charlamagne tha God]

You can fund the experience of romance. You know what I mean?

[Angela Yee]

But no, no, not, not. No. Has somebody funded your romance before? Absolutely. Big sugar daddy back in the day.

[Charlamagne tha God]

But that don't mean it was romance.

[Angela Yee]

I get it.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I get it. You and Chris are in love.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Absolutely.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That's your husband. Y' all got a child. Y' all could pull up to a pizza place. And it's romantic because y' all too, are in love. Yes.

[Angela Yee]

You have to make the other person feel valued and wanted and showing up

[Lauren LaRosa]

consistently, Those are things you cannot put a price.

[Angela Yee]

But how has somebody funded your romance before?

[Lauren LaRosa]

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

[Angela Yee]

You got a car.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You know, things I said.

[Charlamagne tha God]

This the sugar daddy days. 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 well, he can't get no damn tree. But listen. No, no. All right, all right.

[Angela Yee]

Well, then, yeah, that was me acting romantic, like I was. So you acted like that to get more gifts?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yes, exactly.

[Angela Yee]

But you didn't really love the guy.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay.

[Lauren LaRosa]

That's what that is.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Okay.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah. So.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Well, he pretty much.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And I was the tricky hey.

[Angela Yee]

Or a hoe. I wasn't gonna say that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I wasn't gonna say that. I had more than one sugar daddy,

[Angela Yee]

so I wasn't no hoe. Okay. All right. Well, let's open up the phone lines. Can you fund a romance? 800-585-1051. Is that a thing?

[Charlamagne tha God]

No.

[Angela Yee]

Let's discuss. It's the Breakfast Club.

[Charlamagne tha God]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

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[Angela Yee]

Whether you're calling the wise women in your life video, calling your girlfriends across the country, or checking in on someone who always knows how to make you smile, staying connected matters. Those small conversations, shared laughs and quick hellos are what keep relationships strong. Even when life gets busy, some of the most life giving conversations start with just a phone call. That's why AT&T guarantees a network you can rely on so you can focus on the moments and people that matter the Most. That's the AT&T guarantee. AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comguarantee for details.

[State Farm Announcer]

The wait was worth it. The keys to your dream home have been secured. Now comes the time to fill it with memories. But first, furniture and movers. When's the housewarming? Who's cooking? Or should you cater? All that planning can be stressful, but ensuring your home shouldn't be. And that's where State Farm comes in. Because State Farm agents can help you choose the coverage you need. Just call, go online or check out the app. An agent is ready to help so you can focus on showing off your new home. If you know, you know like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[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. And Cantu heard you loud and clear with their new Ultra Moisture Collection. Powered by Batana 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 and 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.