NJ Man Indicted In $400K GoFundMe Scheme At Federal Level: FBI

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Although he has pleaded guilty at the state level, the alleged ring leader of a $400,000 GoFundMe scheme involving a homeless man still faces charges at the federal level.

Mark D’Amico, 40, formerly of Bordentown, has been indicted on one count each of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering, as well as on four substantive counts of wire fraud and 10 substantive counts of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced on Wednesday. He was previously charged by criminal complaint on Oct. 2, 2019.

The indictment comes about a month after D’Amico pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree misapplication of entrusted property in superior court in Burlington County. He faces five-years in prison and is expected to pay full restitution of $402,706. Sentencing is scheduled for April 24.

D’Amico, 29-year-old Kate McClure, of Bordentown, and 36-year-old homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. were previously accused of conspiring 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 in late 2018, 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.

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. 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.

The charge of wire fraud conspiracy and the four substantive wire fraud charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as five of the substantive money laundering counts, each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The remaining five charges of money laundering charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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