[ad_1]
Johnny Bobbitt, the homeless military veteran who received $ 400,000 for him from supporters, will receive all the money, even though fundraisers would have squandered it.
(The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
The New Jersey couple accused of abusing the $ 400,000 they collected for a homeless veteran from GoFundMe will likely be charged in the case, his lawyer said on Monday.
Ernest Badway, the couple's lawyer, wrote in a letter last Thursday that his firm would no longer represent Mark D'Amico, 39, and Katelyn MClure, 28. He represented them in the civil case, but said he was charged by the Burlington County Attorney. NBC Philadelphia said the letter had been issued after a Superior Court judge granted a stay in the civil case until December.
A civil lawsuit filed by Johnny Bobbitt, the homeless military veteran who used his last $ 20 to buy McClure gas, accuses some mismanaged donations made to him by GoFundMe. The couple denied allegations in the case, saying he was wary of giving large sums to Bobbitt because he feared buying drugs.
"(Since), it is expected that one or both of the accused will probably be charged, my company and I will no longer be able to continue to represent them in this case," Badway wrote. .
He declined Monday to comment further. It is unclear whether he will represent Amico and McClure in a possible criminal case.
"… it is expected that one or both of the accused will probably be charged, my company and I will no longer be able to continue to represent them in this case."
Burlington County Attorney Scott Coffina confirmed last week that there was a criminal investigation into the couple, citing the "huge" public interest in the case. No charges were laid.
Amico and McClure have already denied wrongdoing or misuse of money, which was collected from GoFundMe by 14,000 contributors.
Mr. Badway said his clients were considering invoking the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, reported NJ.com.
The once-busy story turned sour, Bobbitt claiming that the couple used the funds as a "personal piggy bank."
GOFUNDME COUPLE ALLEGEMENT OF HUMAN MONEY HOMELESS HOMELESS ON SHOE COLLECTION, HOLIDAY PRICEY: REPORT
In 2017, Bobbitt used $ 20 to help a distressed McClure get gasoline when his car arrived on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. To help repay his kindness, McClure and D'Amico have launched a GoFundMe page that has brought in just over $ 400,000 in contributions.
The account, at first, led to appearances for Bobbitt and McClure in the national television programs, but turned into a dispute over the money.
Chris Fallon, Bobbitt 's attorney, said earlier he received about $ 75,000 in cash. But Badway said Bobbitt had about $ 200,000.
Last week, GoFundMe announced that it would ensure that Bobbitt would get the full amount owed, whether or not the civil lawsuit recovers money, reported NJ.com.
Mr. Amico stated that Bobbitt had spent $ 25,000 in less than two weeks last year on drugs, in addition to paying overdue bills and sending money back. his family. Bobbitt's lawyer said last week that Bobbitt was entering a residential drug treatment program.
The couple also bought a camper from Bobbitt with some of the money and parked it on land owned by the McClure family in New Jersey. But Bobbitt again became homeless after Amico reportedly told him in June that he had to leave.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source link
