At apress conferencethis good afternoon , prosecutor Scott Coffina told reporters that Mark D’Amico , Kate McClure , and Johnny Bobbitt Jr. are allbeing chargedwith second - degree thievery by magic and 2nd - academic degree conspiracy . The charges stanch from the “ Paying It Forward ” GoFundMe run that authorities say was based on a story that was “ wholly made up . ” While they believe it was true that Johnny Bobbitt Jr. was indeed homeless , they say that McClure ’s claims that she ’d been stranded on the interstate when Bobbitt appeared and used his last $ 20 to buy her accelerator never happened .
According to ahandoutgiven to reporters , McClure and D’Amico are a couple who became “ acquainted ” with Bobbitt about a month prior to the launch of the crowdfunding campaign . Coffina told reporter that he believe the couple met Bobbitt near a local gambling casino that they frequented . They would give him some money , and a relationship germinate over time . He said that authorities do n’t have much insight into the provision appendage or who initiated the alleged scam , but he claim that in 2012 , Johnny Bobbitt posted a taradiddle on his personal Facebook page that was remarkably similar to the one present on GoFundMe .
The GoFundMe effort told an inspiring story of kindness that pull in donations from 14,000 people and garnered national medium coverage . It wildly exceeded its original goal of $ 10,000 , and Coffina said that , after GoFundMe ’s fees , it brought in $ 367,000 . prosecutor are unsure what kind of agreement was reached for split the money , but adisputebetween Bobbitt and the couple in a civic pillow slip is what lend it to their attention .
Bobbitt take in September that he ’d only receive $ 75,000 of the money and he feared the dyad had spent the repose . D’Amico secernate medium outlets that the money was safe but he was giving it to Bobbitt lento because the homeless veteran had a substance abuse issue . When a judgeorderedthe twosome to pass over the money , they were drive to admit it wasall goneand a vicious investigation was opened .
Prosecutors said they went through 60,000 text messages and thousands of Page of fiscal documents to figure out what happened . The press release states :
Less than an hour after the GoFundMe campaign go live , McClure , in a text exchange with a friend , stated that the story about Bobbitt assisting her was ‘ completely made up . ’ She did not tend out of gas on an I-95 off - ramp , and he did not spend his last $ 20 to facilitate her . Rather , D’Amico , McClure and Bobbitt conspired to cook up and promote a feel - good story that would compel donors to add to their cause .
Prosecutors say that “ zero dollars ” are allow for from the tremendous haulage and that all the money was “ squandered , ” on travel , shopping spree , and based on cash withdrawal , likely gaming . They arrogate that McClure became neural when Bobbitt jump his civil dispute , but D’Amico believed a rule book deal tell their side of the story would lend in even big money . His preferred deed for the record book : “ No Good Deed . ”
Attorneys for the accused either decline to remark or did not answer to Gizmodo ’s requests . The practice of law position of Christopher Fallon Jr. has been representing Bobbitt pro bono . McClure and D’Amico turn themselves in on Wednesday and Coffina said they were released without bond after booking . Bobbitt is in custody in Philadelphia and the summons of extraditing him to New Jersey is currently afoot , according to Coffina .
Coffina strain that he does n’t want this one situation to admonish people from donate to good cause that are likely to be licit . He also express his understanding for Bobbitt ’s situation and thank him for his military divine service .
In an email to Gizmodo , a voice for GoFundMe told us that the company is collaborate with authority and that all donors will receive full refunds . “ One fraudulent campaign is one too many , but when it does take place , we take action to protect donors , ” the spokesperson said .
If raise in court , the crimes carry sentences between five and 10 years .
[ Burlington County Prosecutor ’s Office ]
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