Prosecutor says story of helpful homeless man was scam

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. — A feelgood tale of a homeless man using his last $20 to help a stranded New Jersey woman buy gas was a lie, manufactured to get strangers to donate more than $400,000 to help the down-and-out good Samaritan, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Burlington County prosecutor Scott Coffina announced criminal charges against the couple who told the story to newspapers and television stations, along with the homeless man who conspired with them to tell the story.

The money, donated to homeless Marine veteran Johnny Bobbitt, came from people who saw the story and contributed through a Gofundme page set up by the couple, Mark D’amico and Katelyn Mcclure.

Coffina said almost no part of the tale was true. Mcclure didn’t run out of gas. Bobbitt didn’t spot her in trouble and give her money. Instead, the group met near a Philadelphia casino in October 2017, shortly before the three told their story.

Less than an hour after the couple set up the page to solicit donations, Mcclure sent a text message to a friend saying the story was “completely made up,” prosecutors said.

The group spent lavishly, Coffina said, and there are “zero” dollars left.

The couple bought a BMW, took a New Year’s trip to Las Vegas and bought high-end handbags, among other items.

The trio did interview after interview, posed for photos together and went on “Good Morning America.”

Bobbitt, 35, was arrested Wednesday night by U.S. marshals in Philadelphia and remained in custody Thursday on probation detainers and a $50,000 bond.

D’amico, 39, and Mcclure, 28, surrendered to authorities Wednesday night and were released.

All were charged with theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft by deception. The charges carry prison time of up to five to 10 years.

Prosecutors began investigating after Bobbitt claimed he wasn’t getting the money that had been raised on his behalf. He later sued. The prosecutor said “there’s a good chance” the alleged fraud might not have been uncovered had Bobbitt not sued.

Gofundme said in a statement that people who donated money would get a full refund.