Johnny Bobbitt (above), 36, admitted to conspiring to commit theft by deception in a 2017 GoFundMe, on Friday
A homeless man, who was once hailed as a hero for helping a stranded driver, has pleaded guilty in his part for fabricating a story to defraud 14,000 GoFundMe donors out of $400,000.
At the New Jersey Superior Court on Friday, Johnny Bobbitt, 36, admitted guilt in conspiring to commit theft by deception.
Bobbitt also agreed to testify against his believed co-conspirators, Katelyn McClure, 28, her former-boyfriend 39-year-old Mark D'Amico, as part of a plea agreement.
Authorities say the trio invented a 2017 story - which later went viral - claiming that Bobbitt offered McClure $20 as gas money, after her car broke down on a Philadelphia highway.
Alleged conspirator Katelyn McClure (left), 28, said Bobbitt offered her his last $20 after her car ran out of gas on a Philadelphia highway
The pair appeared on television numerous times to re-tell the story - but prosecutors say it was all a lie (pictured: Bobbitt and McClure during a 2017 TV interview)
McClure and D'Amico then set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of Bobbitt, asking the public donate money as a reward for the homeless man's reported random act of kindness.
They said they started the page in the hope of raising $10,000 to buy Bobbitt some warm clothes and get him off the streets for good.
However, the campaign raised over $400,000 from 14,000 separate donations and received media coverage all over the world.
McClure and Bobbitt also appeared on television numerous times retelling the story - but prosecutors say it was all a lie.
Instead, they say rather than donating all the proceeds to Bobbitt as the fundraiser had advertised, the couple took home $275,000 and spendt it on lavish shopping sprees and luxury holidays.
The former-couple are also said to have bought a brand new BMW with their purported share of the money.
As part of a plea deal, Bobbitt agreed to testify against McClure and her former boyfriend Mark D'Amico at the New Jersey Superior Court on Friday
In his plea, Bobbitt said the ex-couple 'took it upon themselves' to start fundraising, and he became a willing actor once the crowdfunding had already begun
Instead of donating all the proceeds to Bobbitt, prosecutors say D'Amico and McClure took the majority of the funds, spending it on designer clothes, holidays and even buying a BMW (pictured: D'Amico and McClure during a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon)
However, the relationship between the couple and Bobbitt took a turn after he filed a lawsuit against them for failing to turn all of fundraiser over to him last year.
New Jersey prosecutors say the fallout prompted them to launch an investigation into the entire story.
In his plea, Bobbitt said the ex-couple 'took it upon themselves' to start fundraising, and he became a willing actor once the crowdfunding had already begun.
The former marine has been battling a drug addiction for several years.
He is expected to serve five years probation and be enrolled in a rehabilitation program that will allow him to avoid prison if he stays clean.
Otherwise, he will serve the entirety of the sentence in state prison.
McClure (left) pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud. A case of conspiring to commit theft by deception is still pending against her and D'Amico (right). D'Amico denies any wrongdoing
On Wednesday, Bobbitt entered a separate guilty plea to a count of conspiracy to launder money, where he faces up to 3 years in prison.
The district Judge agreed to delay sentencing until his rehabilitation program is completed.
McClure pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court on Wednesday.
An additional charge of conspiracy to commit theft by deception has also been filed by prosecutors against McClure and D'Amico, but that case is still pending.
D'Amico has denied any involvement with the alleged unlawful scheme.
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/09/homeless-man-36-pleads-guilty-in-alleged-400000-gofundme-scam/
Main photo article
Johnny Bobbitt (above), 36, admitted to conspiring to commit theft by deception in a 2017 GoFundMe, on Friday
A homeless man, who was once hailed as a hero for helping a stranded driver, has pleaded guilty in his part for fabricating a story to defraud 14,000 GoFundMe donors out of...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/09/06/10771640-6789153-image-a-9_1552114753373.jpg
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