Callahan & Blaine

We previously wrote about an interesting case in which a couple (Mark D’Amico and Kate McClure) started a GoFundMe for a homeless man (Johnny Bobbitt Jr.) which went viral and grossed around $400,000 in donations. Things seemed to take a bad turn though when the three ended up in court with Bobbitt claiming that D’Amico and McClure were withholding the money and spending it for themselves.

Things have now taken yet another turn as all three are being charged with second-degree conspiracy and theft by deception. According to prosecuting attorney, Scott A. Coffina, all three face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

At a press conference Coffina went on to state that, “The entire campaign was predicated on a lie. They conspired to pass off a fake feel-good story that would compel donors to contribute to their cause; it worked in a very big way but it was fictitious and illegal.”

D’Amico and McClure turned themselves in to authorities on Wednesday while Bobbitt was arrested in Philadelphia and extradited back to New Jersey.

Authorities sifted through tens of thousands of the couple’s text messages. One conversation in particular caught their attention in which a Ms. McClure appears to admit the whole thing was a ploy. Her friend wrote, “OK, so wait, the gas part is completely made up but the guy isn’t?” And Ms. McClure replied, “I had to make something up so people will feel bad.”

Our law firm represents corporate, professional and entrepreneurial clients of all sizes. To find out more about our distinctive approach to advocacy and dispute resolution in complex litigation, contact us at the Callahan & Blaine offices in Santa Ana.