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More than $400,000 in GoFundMe donations refunded in alleged homeless vet scam
Donations have been returned to everyone who contributed to a viral crowdfunding campaign that authorities say was based on a lie, a GoFundMe spokesman said Tuesday.
Prosecutors announced charges in November against three people who allegedly concocted a feel-good story of kindness to attract donations in October 2017. People donated more than $400,000 to the cause.
GoFundMe spokesman Bobby Whithorne said Tuesday that "all donors who contributed to this GoFundMe campaign have been fully refunded" and that the organization was cooperating fully with law enforcement. Whithorne said cases of misuse "make up less than one-tenth of 1 percent" of GoFundMe campaigns.
In November, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey charged Katelyn McClure and Mark D'Amico, both of Florence, New Jersey, with theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft in connection with the viral story. The man described by the couple as a homeless veteran and good Samaritan, 35-year-old Johnny Bobbitt Jr., was charged with the same crimes. The story that prompted the donations: Bobbitt supposedly gave McClure his last $20 when her car ran out of gas. About 14,000 people donated to a campaign that promised to help Bobbitt start a new life, but authorities say the money was spent on luxury items and casino trips.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 27 2018, @04:41AM (2 children)
Is this much different from how preacher men spent my tithing money?
When I saw what they spent the money on, I figured it best to give my tithes directly to God. Throw the whole wad up to Heaven. He can keep it if He wants, or let it come back down to me.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Thursday December 27 2018, @07:23AM
Alas, the other idiots out there not only bought him a new jet, but also a big net to hang from it.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 27 2018, @08:50PM
Ah! I found your problem!
You should give your money to GOP Jesus [youtube.com] instead. He'll gladly take it!