GoFundMe case: 10 surprising revelations about alleged scam involving homeless veteran, couple

Sheri Berkery | The Courier-Post

Show Caption Hide Caption WATCH: Couple, homeless man charged in GoFundMe case Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina addresses media during a press conference regarding the three individuals charged in a conspiracy to defraud GoFundMe contributors Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 in Mount Holly, N.J.

As news of three arrests in the feel-good-gone-bad GoFundMe story emerged, not all were surprised.

Some had expressed skepticism that the story seemed too neatly packaged: After a homeless veteran gives up his last $20 to help a South Jersey woman who had run out of gas, the woman and her boyfriend make it their mission to turn the vet's life around.

But the actual details of how all three allegedly conspired to create the story last year — and the fallout that followed — are shocking.

An affidavit of probable cause released after the arrests this week of Florence couple Katelyn McClure and Mark D'Amico, and Johnny Bobbitt Jr. of Philadelphia offers insight into the suspects' plans, how the money was spent, and the growing tensions among the three as people started asking questions.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office investigation included a review of bank records and more than 60,000 messages between McClure and D'Amico.

Here are some of the most intriguing revelations, as reported in the affidavit:

At some point, there seemed to be good intentions

McClure and D'Amico knew Bobbitt before they allegedly concocted the gas story, authorities said. They even gave him 10 bucks on one of their trips into Philadelphia.

"IDK why but that homeless guy by sugarhouse keeps popping in my damn head today," McClure texted to D'Amico on Oct. 16, 2017, less than a month before they launched the GoFundMe campaign. "Dude, I just thought about him!!" D'Amico replied.

SugarHouse Casino was among a number of gambling venues that D'Amico and McClure frequented. Investigators said they found player cards in both suspects' names from multiple Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Maryland casinos during a search of their home.

The couple's text conversation continued with them expressing desire to help provide Bobbitt with, among other things, food, clothes, a Nintendo Switch, a job and a home. On Nov. 10, 2017, McClure launched a GoFundMe campaign titled "Paying it Forward" with the story of how Bobbitt came to her rescue.

McClure and D'Amico were in debt before GoFundMe campaign began

McClure made $43,262 last year at her state job. D'Amico hadn't filed a tax return since 2015, when he reported income of $15,417. Both had borrowed from family members, and in the weeks after the GoFundMe campaign started, they repaid relatives. McClure gave a family member $900 she had owed, and D'Amico repaid multiple relatives a total of $8,900. The affidavit notes that the total of $9,800 "is closely aligned with the $10,000 goal established by McClure and D'Amico for the 'Paying it Forward' campaign."

The day before the online fundraiser was posted, D'Amico pawned an iPhone, the affidavit stated. Between February and August of 2018, Bobbitt and D'Amico both pawned numerous items, including Apple MacBook laptops, an Xbox game console, Apple and Movado watches, a camera and power saw.

$400,000 was gone in four months

The wildly successful GoFundMe campaign received $402,706 over the course a month from 14,347 donors; the bulk of the money came in the first two weeks, driven by social-media shares and news coverage.

By March, the money had all but disappeared.

McClure texted D'Amico the morning of March 9, saying, "I can't believe we have less than 10K left." They went back and forth about spending the GoFundMe campaign funds, according to the affidavit. "In a year you'll be laughing about when you blew hundreds of thousands," McClure said. "Just like 45K," "Just like 15K."

Meanwhile, Bobbitt also spent what funds he did receive relatively quickly. Two days after Christmas 2017, Bobbitt opened a bank account with a $25,000 deposit from McClure's primary account. A total of more than $31,000 was deposited into the account through March 2018 — over the three months, Bobbitt withdrew more than $23,000. Bobbitt also received electronic transfers via GreenDot cards from McClure and D'Amico.

Bobbitt never bought a house

One of the frequent updates in the early weeks of the GoFundMe story involved Bobbitt buying a house. He even confirmed the news in a post on the fundraiser page: "The feeling is indescribable and (it's) all thanks to the support and generosity that each and every one of you has shown."

A news story published in early December included Bobbitt's quote about the home, and his promises to help other veterans through the funds that were raised.

The story noted that "No information was revealed about where Bobbitt's new house is located. Bobbitt said he will have pictures of it in coming days on his newly minted Instagram account."

But, according to the affidavit, it was all a lie, and Bobbitt never purchased a home.

McClure had launched a @getjohnnyahome Twitter feed in addition to the GoFundMe page.

As pressure mounted in recent months, D'Amico blamed his girlfriend for attracting more scrutiny through the GoFundMe page updates. The pair posted about 25 status updates about plans to help Bobbitt during the campaign.

On Sept. 3, in a conversation McClure recorded with D'Amico, he said, "I wish that you never updated the Go Fund Me. Like we shoulda just let it go and not f---ing kept people informed."

Book, movie deals were in the works

When investigators searched McClure and D'Amico's home in September, they found a letter outlining an agreement between the couple and Bobbitt and a literary agent. McClure and D'Amico had traveled to New York City on Dec. 9, 2017, to discuss proposed book and movie deals, and communication with an author and publisher continued over the next several months.

By August, McClure told a relative that the literary agent had recommended a lawyer.

Throughout the GoFundMe campaign, media-savvy McClure actively promoted the trio's feel-good story.

After a news story was published about the campaign, McClure and D'Amico recorded a video in which they show Bobbitt the article and he reacts to it, saying "that changes my life." McClure publishes the video to YouTube that night, and it goes viral.

The couple — sometimes with Bobbitt — made numerous TV appearances, including on ABC's "Good Morning America," BBC and "Megyn Kelly Today." On Nov. 22, 2017, McClure forwarded a screen shot of the "Paying it Forward" fundraiser to a website associated with the "Ellen DeGeneres Show." Text messages and Facebook posts later confirm that she received an all-expenses paid trip to Burbank, California, for herself and a relative to appear in the audience for a taping of the show.

McClure's mom warned her

The affidavit states that McClure shared at least some details about the alleged GoFundMe scheme with a select group, which reportedly included her best friend and mother.

Just three days after the campaign was launched, McClure and D'Amico texted about her mother's suspicion about whether the "gas story" was true. In a conversation with her friend the next day, McClure's mom came up again.

“My mom just called me and said that people go to jail for scamming others out of money. So there’s that ... That’s what my own mother thinks of me."

The friend, who was not identified in the affidavit, also expressed doubts that the story would hold up.

When discussing one of the first news stories about the campaign, the friend told McClure: "This story is gonna backfire lmfao."

By September, when McClure was recording conversations with her boyfriend, she expressed concern about going to jail. D'Amico replied, "You don't go to jail for lying on TV ..."

This wasn't the first time Bobbitt talked about helping a stranded driver

Bobbitt had a Facebook page that included a five-year-old post with a familiar ring.

The post dated Oct. 1, 2012, recounts an incident Bobbitt said occurred while he was living in Henderson, N.C.: “So this girl runs out of gas and has a flat tire at the same time in front of Wal-Mart and is blocking traffic. Everybody blows the horn and cusses her but of course no-one helps her. So I run to the gas station and then change her tire. I spent the only cash I had for supper but at least she can get her little children home safe.”

Almost a quarter of the money was withdrawn at or near casinos

Investigators reviewed months of bank transfers and withdrawals over a four-month period, and found that $85,363 in cash was withdrawn at or in the immediate vicinity of casinos in Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Bensalem, Pa., and Las Vegas.

The search of McClure and D'Amico's home also turned up a dozen newly purchased designer handbags with a total value of more than $11,000. A 2015 BMW that the affidavit said McClure purchased with donors' funds was towed away during the search.

"The investigation revealed that the 2015 BMW was used in May 2018 to collateralize a high interest 5-year loan for $10,085 in McClure’s name, underscoring how quickly and voraciously the trio burned through the money raised through the false gas story," the affidavit stated.

Since the start of the GoFundMe campaign, the couple also bought a trailer that they let Bobbitt live in for awhile and later sold, and took vacations to Las Vegas, Disneyland and Disney World.

A New Year's vacation to Las Vegas alone accounted for more than $20,000, according to the affidavit.

There was talk of getting Bobbitt out of town

Living on the streets again, Bobbitt used his brother's Facebook Messenger app to contact D'Amico in August.

“We should really talk about things. There has been a lot of people asking questions and i really don’t know what to say. We really should get out of here before things go public. I have really been trying to avoid people but it’s becoming more and more difficult," said Bobbitt, who added that he and his brother would get on a bus "anytime you can take us and watch us leave."

D'Amico said he would follow up on the weekend, but Bobbitt never left town.

Later that month, a reporter started asking why Bobbitt was back to panhandling.

Bobbitt's lawsuit brought downfall

On Aug. 28, Bobbitt sued McClure and D'Amico in Burlington County Superior Court, alleging he only received $75,000 of the funds raised on his behalf. The couple responds that they turned over $200,000 to Bobbitt, but claimed they refused to turn over any remaining funds because of Bobbitt's alleged drug dependency.

Sitting with his lawyers days after filing suit, Bobbitt said "I wish it didn't come to this," but also expressed frustration with D'Amico, who he called "a self-described gambling addict."

“I think it’s pretty hypocritical for you (meaning D’Amico) to tell me I can’t manage my money, because I might spend it on drugs and you are doing the same thing (referring to gambling," he told his lawyers.

A judge ordered any remaining funds to be turned over to Bobbitt.

Then came a shocker from the couple's attorney: The money was all gone.

The lawsuit eventually will lead to the money — although not the way Bobbitt intended.

The allegation brought in the suit, plus the missing money, compelled the prosecutor's office to investigate.

GoFundMe issued a statement following the prosecutor's Thursday news conference announcing the charges for McClure, D'Amico and Bobbitt.

"All donors who contributed to this GoFundMe campaign will receive a full refund," a company spokesperson said in the release.

Just like a year ago when it all began, the public is fascinated with the story of the GoFundMe trio. Though this time, the social-media comments are far different, musing on the worst in human nature instead of the best.

One person reacting to a story about the alleged scam posted on the Courier-Post Facebook page offered this:

"I thought the whole thing was BRILLIANT. And if they didn't stab each other in the back, they probably would have gotten away with it ..."

Sheri Berkery: @SheriBerkery; 856-486-2673; sberkery@gannettnj.com

Homeless man who gave away last $20 richly rewarded When Kate McClure's car ran out of gas on an interstate, Johnny Bobbitt Jr. came to her rescue in an unexpected way. Now she's surprising him with something even bigger.

More on the alleged GoFundMe scam

GoFundMe fairy tale: Prosecutor says South Jersey couple, homeless vet bilked public

Charges filed in Johnny Bobbit GoFundMe case: What we know

The $400,000 question: What does Johnny Bobbitt case mean for GoFundMe?

Man under investigation in GoFundMe dispute arrested on contempt warrant

GoFundMe says man will get his $400K as investigators search couple's home in case

Lawyer: All funds raised for homeless Samaritan is gone

Judge gives Burlington County pair 24 hours to turn over donations for homeless man

Court orders explanation from couple on homeless Samaritan's donation fund

Homeless Samaritan says he's still struggling with addiction

Homeless Samaritan to get house, dream truck, trust funds

SJ woman raises funds to help homeless man who rescued her