Johnny Bobbitt, the homeless military veteran who had $400,000 raised for him by well-wishers, will receive the full amount of money even though those behind the fundraiser allegedly squandered it.
GoFundMe, along with law firm Cozen O’Connor, said Thursday that Bobbitt will receive the balance of what he was not given of the hundreds of thousands raised for him in late 2017, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“Johnny will be made whole and we’re committing that he’ll get the balance of the funds that he has not yet received or benefited from,” the statement read. “GoFundMe’s goal has always been to ensure Johnny gets support he deserves.”
Bobbitt was homeless and addicted to drugs in November when he gave his last $20 to Kate McClure, a stranded motorist on the side of the road in Philadelphia.
Bobbitt was homeless and addicted to drugs in November when he gave his last $20 to Kate McClure, a stranded motorist on the side of the road in Philadelphia. (GoFundMe)
To thank him, McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, created a GoFundMe account for Bobbitt which raised $400,000 from more than 14,000 people.
Once the money came in, Bobbitt said he began to give some to relatives and spend it on drugs, and the couple claimed they withheld the money to help him. He ultimately received roughly $75,000 from the GoFundMe, which he used to purchase a camper and SUV — both of which he no longer has.
Bobbitt accused the two of mismanaging the donations, which the couple initially denied. Last month, D’Amico claimed that he controls the funds in the fundraised money account and that he would dispense the money when Bobbitt gets a job and stops using drugs.
McClure and D’Amico’s attorney ultimately told a court that he learned there was no money left.
The couple’s home in Bordentown, New Jersey was raided on Thursday, and video footage showed a black BMW car being towed away from the property.
McClure and D’Amico are reportedly expected to appear in court next week for a deposition in a suit filed by Bobbitt regarding the money.
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed in a Facebook post Thursday that because of “enormous public interest,” McClue and D’Amico are under investigation, but no charges have been filed.
#1: Deckard To: misterwhite, GrandIsland (#0)
What kind of "druggie" gives away his last $20?
Seems to me that Bobbit has more integrity than all of the posters here who were shamefully dissing the guy.
Deckard posted on 2018-09-07 21:50:21 Reply Private Reply
#2: GrandIsland To: Deckard (#1)
GrandIsland posted on 2018-09-07 22:46:58 Reply Private Reply
#3: misterwhite To: Deckard (#1)
$20 is a lot to a homeless druggie. Especially his last $20. Usually the only time they're kind is after you give them money. So maybe the whole thing is a scam whereby each side ends up with $400,000.
I have a home, a job, and money in the bank and I wouldn't give them $20. Maybe $5 to get them going, along with my name and address so they can repay me.
misterwhite posted on 2018-09-08 09:05:03 Reply Private Reply
#4: misterwhite To: GrandIsland (#2)
I put the over/under of an overdose death at 6 months after he receives the $400,000, and I bet 300 quatloos it's under.
misterwhite posted on 2018-09-08 09:12:35 Reply Private Reply
#5: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
Yes he will, but not out of kindness or generosity on the part of GoFundMe. They're obligated by law to do so since that's their stated policy.
GOFUNDME GUARANTEE POLICY
"1. Introduction. Nearly all GoFundMe campaigns are accurate and funds are delivered and used for their stated purpose. In the rare occurrence of misuse, the GoFundMe Guarantee (the “Guarantee” or “Policy”) ensures that donations are protected if campaign funds are not delivered to the intended beneficiary or donors are misled by a campaign organizer or beneficiary."
misterwhite posted on 2018-09-08 09:19:56 Reply Private Reply