NJ Man, Alleged Leader Of $400K GoFundMe Scam, Pleads Guilty: PD

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The last of three people who were charged in connection with a high-profile $400,000 GoFundMe scam involving a homeless man in Philadelphia has pleaded guilty, officials confirmed on Friday.

Mark D’Amico, 40 of Florence, pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree misapplication of entrusted property in superior court Friday morning, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced.

He faces five-years in prison and is expected to pay full restitution of $402,706, Coffina said. Sentencing is scheduled for April 24. He still faces federal charges.

“We are pleased that this defendant accepted responsibility for his role in this scam,” Coffina said. “He will be required to make full restitution to GoFundMe and the donors — the true victims in this case — and has agreed to a five-year term in New Jersey state prison.”

D'Amico had been indicted on charges of second-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, second-degree conspiracy to commit financial facilitation of criminal activity, second-degree theft by deception, second-degree conspiracy to commit theft by deception, second-degree elements of computer theft and second-degree misapplication of entrusted property, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina previously announced.

In May, the Florence man pleaded not guilty to those charges. In September, his attorney looked to have the charges against his client dropped, without success.

He was accused of conspiring with 29-year-old Kate McClure, of Bordentown, and 36-year-old homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. to defraud the public out of over $400,000 through a fraudulent online fundraiser that was launched in late 2017.

The stated goal of the fundraiser was to raise $10,000 for Bobbitt after the trio said he spent his last $20 to help McClure get gas after she broke down on I-95 on her way into Philadelphia. The fundraiser gained steam, and the amount they raised continued to escalate to over $400,000.

But late last year, authorities began investigating the fundraiser and charged all three with conspiracy and theft by deception. Authorities said the story about Bobbitt helping McClure was made up.

Both McClure and Bobbitt have already pleaded guilty to charges at the state and federal levels.

Bobbitt was placed on special probation for up to five years while he fulfills the requirements of a court-sponsored drug treatment program. McClure faces four years in state prison at sentencing on June 3. Both must pay restitution of $402,766, and have both agreed to testify against D'Amico.

D'Amico claimed he was initially unaware that the story was made up, but McClure claimed she was the one who was duped by D'Amico. Both attorneys said the story was exaggerated, but that nothing criminal had taken place.

GoFundMe has refunded all those who donated to the "Paying It Forward" campaign. In April, its CEO highlighted some of the safeguards they have in place that are designed to make sure a scam like this never happens again.

“Today’s proceeding presents an opportunity to remind the public during the holidays to be cautious when considering making a charitable contribution,” Coffina said. “Do your research, and make sure you are donating to a worthwhile cause.”

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs encourages individuals to visit its website for tips on avoiding charity scams, and to notify the agency about suspicious activity.

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