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A New Jersey couple and a homeless Philadelphia\u00a0man who were once the symbol of generosity in hard times allegedly conspired with each other to come up with a false story to earn GoFundMe donations and will now face charges, according to a complaint obtained by NBC 10 Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
The original story was this: Johnny Bobbitt, who was homeless, gave his last $20 to Kate McClure, a stranded motorist in Philadelphia in November last year, to help her get gas. To thank him, McClure, 28, and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, 39, created a GoFundMe account to raise funds for Bobbitt. Around 14,000 people donated to the campaign, which brought\u00a0in more than $400,000 overall.<\/p>\n
But investigators said the three deliberately prevented donors from gaining information “that would affect their judgment about solicited contribution to that fundraising effort,” according to the station.\u00a0Now they will face charges including conspiracy and theft by deception, a source familiar with the case told NBC 10.<\/p>\n
The couple turned themselves in on Wednesday to Burlington County authorities, the source said. It was unlcear if Bobbitt was with them.\u00a0The Burlington County Prosecutor\u2019s office is expected to make an announcement in the case on Thursday, The New York Post reported, citing multiple reports.<\/p>\n
The story appeared to begin to fall apart after Bobbitt claimed that the couple used the GoFundMe money as “personal piggy bank,” and sued the couple in August over the funds.<\/p>\n
Bobbitt\u2019s attorney, Jacqueline Promislo,\u00a0told The New York Post in September\u00a0that the couple started to spend the money right after depositing it into their bank account. Bobbitt accused the two of mismanaging the donations, which the couple initially denied.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey went on shopping sprees,\u201d Promislo told the paper. \u201c[Bobbitt] tells me they had a Louis Vuitton bag and Chanel sunglasses, a new iPhone 10.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Read the entire article here:<\/p>\n
Homeless man, couple allegedly conspired to deceive GoFundMe funds: report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A press conference is scheduled today at 2pm EST.<\/p>\n The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office has said it will announce new developments in the ‘GoFundMe’ case Thursday afternoon. More information is here:<\/p>\n GoFundMe case: Mark D’Amico and Kate McClure arrested and charged, documents show<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n UPDATE 11\/15\/2018 @1430 CST<\/p>\n Also during the news conference, Coffina said Bobbitt was not taken advantage of, but was fully complicit in the scheme.<\/p>\n All three have been charged with Theft by Deception (second-degree,) and Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception (second-degree).<\/p>\n D’Amico and McClure, both of Florence Township, New Jersey, surrendered on Wednesday night. They were processed and released.<\/p>\n Bobbitt, of the Kensington section of Philadelphia, was charged on Wednesday and is awaiting extradition.<\/p>\n Coffina said GoFundMe has cooperated with the investigation, and will be refunding all of the donations.<\/p>\n More information is here:<\/p>\n
\nProsecutor Scott Coffina said no information will be released prior to the 2 p.m. announcement.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/4695402_111518-wpvi-gofundme-mugs-rough-img-300x169.jpg\")
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