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Investigators said that, from left to right, Johnny Bobbitt, Katelyn McClure and Mark D Amico, a homeless military veteran, have shared $ 400,000 in GoFundMe contributions and have spent huge sums – as they do. They had planned – with a BMW, designer bags and trips to Las Vegas. somewhere else. (Burlington County Attorney's Office)
A New Jersey woman who concocted a benevolent account of a homeless man rescuing her from the edge of a road to scam 14,000 donators of $ 400,000 in GoFundMe contributions was sentenced to four years in a jail. 39, State, according to reports.
Katelyn McClure pleaded guilty Monday in the Superior Court of the State for second-degree theft by deception under a plea agreement that also asked her to help pay that money back.
She had initially been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment under the charges initially lodged by the prosecutors.
McClure, 29, of Bordentown, is also scheduled to testify against his former boyfriend and co-defendant, Mark D'Amico, who is also facing charges under the scheme. He denied having done wrong.
McClure's appeal comes after Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless military veteran, was sentenced Friday to five years probation for his role in the scheme. According to his plea agreement, he will also help to repay the money, according to prosecutors.
Investigators said the three men had split the money and spent considerable sums – as they had planned from the beginning – including for a BMW, designer bags and trips to Las Vegas and elsewhere.
JOHNNY BOBBITT, A HOMELESS MAN LINKED TO THE GOFUNDME SCARF, IS TAKEN AFTER HAVE BEEN THE COURT OF SKIPPING DATE
McClure may be sentenced for state indictment in June.
She also pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud conspiracy ploy in the scheme, and Bobbitt also pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge filed by the federal government last month.
No sentencing date has been set for these federal charges.
D'Amico does not face any federal charges. Last fall, he and McClure were charged with robbery and conspiracy in a state court.
The investigation began last year after Bobbitt sued the couple for not giving him his share of the money.
According to prosecutors, the trio invented the story that Bobbitt had saved McClure from the edge of a Philadelphia highway in 2017 to self-enrich.
The group solicited donations through GoFundMe, allegedly to help Bobbitt, and drew attention with a media blitz including poses for photos, a tour of the place where they claimed their first meeting had taken place and an appearance on television. In total, more than 14,000 people contributed.
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The project "was designed to attract the hearts of caring and confident people," prosecutors said.
GoFundMe stated that it has repaid the donations.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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