NJ couple and homeless man who raised hundreds of thousands on GoFundMe accused of making up story to scam people

A New Jersey couple who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a homeless good Samaritan in an online fundraiser last year actually plotted with the man to make up a “fictitious story,” prosecutors say.

Mark D’Amico and Kate McClure appeared to create a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to assist homeless Marine veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr., when actually all three were in on the plan to trick unsuspecting donors, according to a complaint filed in court obtained by NBC News.

{mosads}The three accumulated more than $402,000 in donations from more than 14,000 people. They were able to trick the donors by preventing donors from acquiring information about the campaign and its background and “failing to correct their story,” according to the complaint.

The story began last fall, when it was reported McClure’s car ran out of gas in Philadelphia and she was assisted by Bobbitt, who at the time was homeless. Bobbitt reportedly gave McClure his last $20, and she repaid him by setting up a GoFundMe account for him with D’Amico.

Bobbitt’s kind deed became a viral sensation and spurred the hundreds of thousands in donations. But it was later reported that the couple was withholding the funds from Bobbitt and that he was still drug-addicted and living on the streets. Bobbitt accused the couple of withholding the money from him and using it as a “personal piggy bank.”

Bobbitt’s attorney alleged the couple spent some of the money on a BMW and luxury vacations.

Bobbitt sued, and in August, a judge ordered the couple to turn over all remaining money that had been donated.

All three are now facing charges including conspiracy and theft by deception.

A lawyer for the couple had no comment Thursday and an attorney for Bobbitt could not immediately be reached for comment, according to NBC News.