January 07, 2019
Kate McClure/GoFundMe
Kate McClure and Johnny Bobbitt, the homeless man who helped her after she got stranded on I-95 in Philadelphia. McClure started a crowdfunding effort that raised more than $400,000 to help the veteran get back on his feet. But now much of the money is reporting missing.
New legislation in New Jersey would impose mandatory jail time and require restitution from anyone convicted of conducting fraudulent using a crowdfunding site.
The bill, introduced by Republication Ron Dancer, comes in the wake of the story that grabbed national attention last year involving a New Jersey couple and a homeless man who allegedly duped GoFundMe donors of more than $400,0000.
Convicted fraudsters would face mandatory jail time and need to pay restitution under the proposed bill, the Associated Press reported.
In the case of Mark D'Amico and Katelyn McClure — the couple who allegedly tricked thousands into donating under the guise of getting homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt back on his feet — GoFundMe has refunded donations to all who contributed and the trio are all facing charges.
If convicted, each could spend up to 10 years in prison.
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