GoFundMe Refunds Donors Duped By Alleged $400K Scam

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ - GoFundMe has refunded everyone who donated to a controversial campaign that raised $400,000 for a homeless vet.

More than 14,000 people who helped raise more than $400,000 for Johnny Bobbitt Jr. have been reimbursed, according to GoFundMe spokesman Bobby Whithorne.

Bobbitt, Kate McClure, 28, and Mark D'Amico, 39, have all been charged with conspiracy and theft by deception in the online fundraiser.

The Paying It Forward GoFundMe Page has also been completely removed from the GoFundMe website.

"All donors who contributed to this GoFundMe campaign have been fully refunded. GoFundMe always fully protects donors, which is why we have a comprehensive refund policy in place," Whithorne said. "While this type of behavior by an individual is extremely rare, it's unacceptable and clearly it has consequences. Committing fraud, whether it takes place on or offline is against the law. We are fully cooperating and assisting law enforcement officials to recover every dollar withdrawn by Ms. McClure and Mr. D'Amico.

"Finally, it's important to understand that misuse is very rare on our platform. Campaigns with misuse make up less than one tenth of one percent of all campaigns. We have a zero tolerance policy for fraudulent behavior. If fraud occurs, donors get refunded and we work with law enforcement officials to recover the money. One fraudulent campaign is one too many, but when it does take place, we take action to protect donors. To learn more about our refund policy, the GoFundMe Guarantee, please visit www.gofundme.com/guarantee."

Bobbitt made his first appearance last week, and was released, pending trial. McClure's attorney James Gerrow claimed she was duped by D'Amico, and released an audio recording McClure had secretly made of an argument between the two. Gerrow described their relationship as "controlling and abusive."

D'Amico's attorney Mark Davis called it "laughable" that McClure was portraying herself as the victim. He also said McClure made up the story about Bobbitt using his last $20 to help her when she ran out of gas while driving into Philadelphia. He said D'Amico initially didn't know the story was made up. That story was used during the campaign to inspire donors to give to Bobbitt.

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Burlington County Prosecutor's Office photos of Bobbitt, McClure and D'Amico.