A feel-good tale that captured national attention about a homeless man using his last $20 to help a stranded woman was a complete fabrication, prosecutors revealed. The story led to over $400,000 in donations via GoFundMe before unraveling as a calculated hoax.
Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina stated on Thursday, “The entire campaign was predicated on a lie. It was fictitious and illegal, and there are consequences.”
The story featured Johnny Bobbitt Jr., a homeless man, helping Kate McClure, who was allegedly stranded on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. According to the fabricated narrative, Bobbitt gave her his last $20 to buy gas. Moved by his kindness, McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, launched a GoFundMe campaign to repay Bobbitt and help him rebuild his life.
The campaign attracted more than 14,000 donors, raising $402,000. McClure wrote at the time, “[Bobbitt] will never have to worry about a roof over his head again!!” The couple went on a media blitz, showcasing their act of gratitude in paying it forward.
Prosecutors Expose the Lie
Investigations revealed that McClure never ran out of gas, and Bobbitt never handed her money. Text messages seized from McClure’s phone exposed the deception. Less than an hour after creating the GoFundMe page, McClure texted a friend: “Okay so wait, the gas part is completely made up … I had to make something up to make people feel bad … So, shush about the made-up part.”
The trio – McClure, D’Amico, and Bobbitt – were charged with theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Coffina said, “The paying-it-forward story that drove this fundraiser might seem too good to be true. Unfortunately, it was.”
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Greed and Lavish Spending
The couple reportedly spent the funds on luxury vacations, a BMW, and casino trips. Bobbitt received $75,000 of the funds but later sued the couple, accusing them of withholding the money. The lawsuit triggered investigations that uncovered the scam.
Sentences and Aftermath
Bobbitt pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft by deception and was sentenced to five years of probation with mandatory participation in a drug court program. McClure pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison.
In a statement, GoFundMe said all donors would be refunded, emphasizing that misuse of their platform is rare. “We are fully cooperating and assisting law enforcement officials to recover every dollar withdrawn by Ms. McClure and Mr. D’Amico,” the platform said.
This case serves as a cautionary tale about internet fundraising campaigns, reminding donors to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of charitable stories.