NJ Man In $400K GoFundMe Scheme Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The final guilty plea has been entered at the federal level in a fraud case that began nearly four years ago, authorities announced. It all began as what appeared to be a feel-good story about a homeless man who helped a stranded South Jersey woman who had run out of gas.

Mark D’Amico, 42, formerly of Bordentown, has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after he and two co-conspirators duped the public out of $400,000 in a GoFundMe scam that made national headlines, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

D'Amico, his then-girlfriend Kate McClure, of Bordentown, and homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. were previously accused of conspiring to defraud the public through the fraudulent online fundraiser that was launched in late 2017.

The stated goal of the fundraiser was to raise $10,000 for Bobbitt after the trio said he spent his last $20 to help McClure get gas after she broke down on I-95 on her way into Philadelphia. The fundraiser gained steam, and the amount they raised continued to escalate to over $400,000.

But in late 2018, authorities began investigating the fundraiser and charged all three with conspiracy and theft by deception. Authorities said the story about Bobbitt helping McClure was made up.

Both McClure and Bobbitt have already pleaded guilty to charges at the state and federal levels. They await sentencing.

D'Amico previously pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree misapplication of entrusted property in superior court in Burlington County.

D'Amico claimed he was initially unaware that the story was made up, but McClure claimed she was the one who was duped by D'Amico. Both attorneys said the story was exaggerated, but that nothing criminal had taken place.

GoFundMe later refunded all those who donated to the "Paying It Forward" campaign, and its CEO highlighted some of the safeguards they have in place that are designed to make sure a scam like this never happens again.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs encourages individuals to visit its website for tips on avoiding charity scams, and to notify the agency about suspicious activity.

The charge of wire fraud conspiracy carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for March 28, 2022.

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