It was an online hoax meant to con kind-hearted strangers out of cash but has instead left a US couple and a homeless man facing jail.
Johnny Bobbitt, 36, of Philadelphia and Katelyn McClure, 28 of Bordentown, New Jersey pleaded guilty this week to a number of charges following the revelation their GoFundMe story, which netted $568,360, was actually faked.
Prosecutors told the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly, New Jersey, that Bobbitt conspired with McClure and her then-boyfriend Mark D’Amico to make up the 2017 story which claimed she gave the homeless man cash for petrol after being stranded along a US highway.
However, New Jersey authorities said the three instead split the money and spent lavishly, including on a car, designer bags, and trips to Las Vegas, Disneyland, Disney World, the Grand Canyon and New York City.
The BBC reports the trio came up with the scheme after the couple became acquainted with Bobbitt during trips to a local casino.
GoFundMe said it has refunded all the donations from more than 14,000 people.
The tale of a homeless good Samaritan made international headlines, with the trio appearing on TV. However, their relationship soured, when Bobbitt sued the couple over what he said was their failure to turn money over to him.
Bobbitt claimed he was only given $106,000, including a $25,000 caravan.
New Jersey prosecutors said the suit led them to start an investigation, including hauling away a BMW they determined was purchased with the funds at the New Jersey home where McClure and D’Amico were living at the time.
All three still face charges in state court.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, McClure is facing almost three years behind bars, while Bobbitt could face between six and 30 months.
D’Amico is facing criminal charges of trespass following the breakdown of his relationship with McClure.
D’Amico’s attorney, Mark Davis, says his client denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged by federal authorities.
