Prosecutor: GoFundMe story about helpful homeless man was a hoax (2024)

MT. HOLLY, N.J. (WPVI) -- A New Jersey prosecutor says the story that launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a homeless veteran was all a hoax.

In a news conference on Thursday, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said the tale was "fictitious" and "formed the basis of a scam."

Coffina said it was, "concocted to compel kind-hearted individuals to contribute to the cause."

"The entire campaign was predicated on a lie," said Coffina. The couple and the homeless man are all under arrest.

The story told by the suspects, 28-year-old Kate McClure, her 39-year-old boyfriend Mark D'Amico, and 39-year-old Johnny Bobbitt Jr., was that McClure ran out of gas on Interstate 95 in November 2017 and Bobbitt helped her by using his last $20 to buy her gas.

But, investigators say, the story was a complete fabrication.

TIMELINE: Key events in the GoFundMe hoax investigation

Prosecutor: GoFundMe story about helpful homeless man was a hoax (1)

It all allegedly began in October 2017 when McClure and D'Amico discussed "the homeless guy" by the SugarHouse Casino, which the couple frequented.

They went on to discuss how they wanted to help him by providing him with food, clothes, a Nintendo Switch, the possibility of a job and even a house, according to the criminal complaint.

On November 10, 2017, the tale about the encounter on I-95 was posted on the GoFundMe page. Claiming they wanted to "pay it forward," McClure and D'Amico set a goal of raising $10,000 to help Bobbitt get back on his feet.

They went on a media blitz to promote the campaign, and it ultimately raised about $400,000.

Prosecutor: GoFundMe story about helpful homeless man was a hoax (2)

Watch the report from Good Morning America in the player above.

However, Coffina said, investigators learned McClure texted a friend less than an hour after the campaign went live saying the story was "completely made up." She did not run out of gas, Coffina said, and Bobbitt did not spend $20 to help her.

She allegedly wrote, "The gas part is completely made up, but the guy isn't. I had to make something up to make people feel bad. So shush about the made up stuff."

The net proceeds were $360,000 after fees, which went into an account controlled by McClure. Bobbitt received $75,000, said Coffina.

Prosecutor: GoFundMe story about helpful homeless man was a hoax (3)

Burlington County Proseuctor Scott Coffina holds a news conference on arrests in the GoFundMe case on November 15, 2018.

However, Coffina said, Bobbitt - a Marine Corp veteran - wanted his fair share and sued the couple back in August, but by then the money was long gone.

In fact, Coffina said, the vast majority of the money was "squandered" by mid-March. McClure and D'Amico bought a car, took trips, bought high-end handbags and hit the casinos.

That lawsuit sparked the investigation which eventually uncovered the entire scheme, according to the prosecutor.

Investigators searched the Florence, New Jersey home of D'Amico and McClure in September after questions arose about what happened to the money they raised for Bobbitt.

Prosecutor: GoFundMe story about helpful homeless man was a hoax (4)

Bobbitt claims he only received a small portion of the money raised. Chad Pradelli reports during Action News at 11 on August 30, 2018.

Investigators reviewed text messages between the couple, and Coffina said there were thousands of messages about their financial woes, inability to pay bills, and mounting debts.

During one exchange in March, Coffina said McClure "lamented that the pair had less than $10,000 remaining from the donors to GoFundMe."

However, D'Amico allegedly told McClure that the money from a pending book deal would "dwarf" the money generated by the GoFundMe campaign.

Even when the legal action began a few months later, D'Amico allegedly planned to include the developments in the book, which he intended to call "No Good Deed."

Prosecutor: GoFundMe story about helpful homeless man was a hoax (5)

Police search home of GoFundMe couple in New Jersey. Chad Pradelli reports during Action News at 5pm on September 6, 2018.

Also during the news conference, Coffina said Bobbitt was not taken advantage of, but was fully complicit in the scheme.

All three have been charged with Theft by Deception (second-degree,) and Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception (second-degree).

D'Amico and McClure, both of Florence Township, New Jersey, surrendered on Wednesday night. They were processed and released.

Bobbitt, of the Kensington section of Philadelphia, was charged on Wednesday and is awaiting extradition.

All three suspects face 5-10 years behind bars.

Coffina said GoFundMe has cooperated with the investigation, and will be refunding all of the money to 14,347 donors.

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Prosecutor: GoFundMe story about helpful homeless man was a hoax (2024)

FAQs

What happened to Mark D Amico? ›

Mark D'Amico, one of the three conspirators in the notorious GoFundMe scandal, was sentenced to five years in state prison on Friday. The sentence was handed down in line with a plea agreement, and will run concurrent with his federal prison sentence of 27 months.

Where is Johnny Bobbitt now? ›

Bobbitt was sentenced to five years of probation on state charges in 2019. D'Amico, the accused ringleader of the scheme, was sentenced earlier this year to 27 months in federal prison. In July, McClure was sentenced to one year in federal prison.

How much money did John Bobbitt get? ›

Bobbitt claims he only received $75,000 in cash, goods and services. The defense attorney said Bobbitt actually received $200,000 dollars from the money donated. Bobbitt claims he only received a small portion of the money raised. Chad Pradelli reports during Action News at 11 on August 30, 2018.

Did John Bobbitt serve any jail time? ›

On August 31, 1994, he was convicted of battery and sentenced to fifteen days in jail (75% of the original 60-day sentence was suspended). "I firmly believe you have an attitude problem," Justice of the Peace William Jansen told John. "Your attitude problem is caused by your drinking."

Was John Bobbitt's surgery successful? ›

Bobbitt stayed in the hospital for about three weeks to recover. After the second week, he said he realized the surgery had been a success.

Who is John Bobbitt married to now? ›

Did John Bobbitt ever get married? ›

John Wayne Bobbitt (born March 23, 1967) and Lorena Bobbitt (née Gallo; born October 31, 1969) were an American couple married on June 18, 1989 and lived in Manassas, Virginia.

Does John Bobbitt have a child? ›

John Wayne Bobbitt has already admitted he's a father. On Thursday, he made arrangements to help pay for the child's upbringing.

Who is Lorena Bobbitt married to now? ›

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