Investigators said, from left, Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless military veteran, Katelyn McClure and Mark D’Amico split $400,000 in GoFundMe contributions and spent lavishly — as they had planned all along — including on a BMW, designer bags and trips to Las Vegas and elsewhere. (Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office)
A New Jersey woman who concocted a feel-good tale about a homeless man rescuing her from the side of a highway to scam 14,000 donors out of $400,000 in GoFundMe contributions was sentenced to four years in state prison, according to reports.
Katelyn McClure pleaded guilty Monday in state Superior Court to second-degree theft by deception under a plea agreement that also called for her to help repay the money.
She initially had faced up to 10 years in prison if convicted under the charges prosecutors initially brought.
McClure, 29, of Bordentown, must also testify against her former boyfriend and co-defendant Mark D’Amico, who also faces state charges in the scheme. He has denied wrongdoing.
McClure’s plea came after Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless military veteran, was sentenced Friday to five years’ probation for his role in the scheme. Under his plea agreement, he also will help repay the money, according to prosecutors.
Investigators said the three split the money and spent lavishly — as they had planned all along — including on a BMW, designer bags and trips to Las Vegas and elsewhere.
JOHNNY BOBBITT, HOMELESS MAN LINKED TO GOFUNDME SCAM, IS CAUGHT AFTER SKIPPING COURT DATE
McClure faces sentencing on state charges in June.
She also pleaded guilty to one federal count of wire fraud conspiracy in the scheme, and Bobbitt also pleaded guilty to a federal money laundering charge last month.
No sentencing date has been set for either on those federal charges.
D’Amico doesn’t face any federal charges. He and McClure were charged last fall in state court with theft and conspiracy.
The investigation started last year after Bobbitt sued the couple for allegedly not giving him his share of the money.
The trio fabricated the story that Bobbitt rescued McClure from the side of a Philadelphia highway in 2017 to enrich themselves, according to prosecutors.
The group solicited donations through GoFundMe, purportedly to help Bobbitt, and garnered significant attention with a media blitz that included posing for photos together, revisiting the spot where they claimed their first encounter happened, and appearing on TV. In all, more than 14,000 people contributed.
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The scheme “was designed to pull at the heartstrings of caring, trusting individuals,” prosecutors said.
GoFundMe has said it refunded the donations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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