Good news for homeless man deprived of GoFundMe money
A homeless war veteran who gave his last $20 to a stranded woman in need of petrol, will receive the $545,000 (AUD) raised for him in a GoFundMe campaign, lawyers say.
Johnny Bobbitt, 34, used his last $20 to fill up the petrol tank of stranded motorist Kate McClure in November, 2017.
The woman and her boyfriend Mark D’Amico started a GoFundMe campaign to repay him for his kind deed. It raised $545,000 for him but he’s yet to see all the money.
The couple were accused of withholding the GoFundMe monies and are now under investigation by police.
However, GoFundMe has now reportedly agreed to pay Mr Bobbitt the money he never received.
GoFundMe, in a joint statement with Cozen O’Connor the law firm representing the 34-year-old, said on Thursday Mr Bobbitt will receive funds equal to what he did not receive, The Philadelphia Enquirer 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 fundraising operator said in the publication.
“GoFundMe’s goal has always been to ensure Johnny gets support he deserves,” the statement read.
Police raid home of GoFundMe couple
The couple’s home was raided on Thursday and a new BMW along with a number of boxes were hauled away by police.
Citing “enormous public interest” in the case, county prosecutor Scott Coffina confirmed in a Facebook post that Mr D’Amico and Ms McClure are under investigation, though no charges have been filed.
The couple claim they used their own money for the items.
In court on Wednesday, the couple’s lawyer Ernest Badway said Mr Bobbitt has received about A$278,000.
But Mr Bobbitt’s lawyer said he had received only about $104,000, which includes the value of a camper and a 1999 Ford Ranger.
A judge presiding over Mr Bobbitt’s lawsuit ordered the couple to give sworn statements on Monday on the status of all the money raised, as well as to turn over documents.
Mr Bobbitt, whose lawyer said he is entering a drug addiction program, will also be deposed.
Mr D’Amico has said Bobbitt spent $34,000 in less than two weeks last year on drugs as well as paying for overdue legal bills and sending money to family.
The couple also bought Mr Bobbitt a camper with some of the cash and parked it on land McClure’s family owns in New Jersey. But Mr Bobbitt became homeless again after Mr D’Amico told him in June that he had to leave the property.
With Associated Press
