An attorney representing Philadelphia homeless man Johnny Bobbitt, whose act of kindness resulted in a $400,000 GoFundMe campaign established to help him get on his feet, said every last penny of the money raised for his client is gone.
Chris Fallon said he learned about the missing money during a conference call Tuesday morning with the lawyer representing Kate McClure and Mark D’Amico, the couple accused of mishandling the money presumably raised for Bobbitt, WPVI-TV reported.
Homeless Samaritan Still Struggling With Addiction After Crowdfund Raises Over $400K
Fallon told the Philadelphia Inquirer he was “completely shocked” when he heard the money was gone, noting the development came as a “complete surprise” to him.
News about the emptied GoFundMe campaign came the same day Bobbitt’s lawyers asked a judge to impose sanctions on McClure and D’Amico after the couple missed a court-ordered deadline to hand over all the money raised in Bobbitt’s name.
Outside of Kate McClure and Mark D’Amico’s house is the used BMW John Bobbitt says the couple purchased earlier this year. He suspects the GoFundMe $ raised for him was used to buy it. pic.twitter.com/96KWxC3JP8
— Chad Pradelli (@chadpradelli) September 4, 2018
The GoFundMe campaign was started after Bobbitt gave his last $20 to help McClure, who had run out of gas in the middle of I-95. The couple was so moved by the homeless man’s generous spirit, they set up a fundraiser for him online.
In total, the fundraiser drew about $400,000, which was roughly $360,000 after the GoFundMe fees were paid. Bobbitt, who was struggling with a drug addiction, claimed he only received about $75,000 in cash, goods, and services.
The relationship between Bobbitt, McClure, and D’Amico really started to sour when, after promising to help him find a home with the money raised, they bought him a camper to live in on their rural property in Burlington County.
“I hate that it came to this,” Bobbitt said. “[I] didn’t want to appear ungrateful.”
Bobbitt also claimed he was given a used SUV while the couple went on lavish vacations and purchased a brand new BMW, presumably with the money raised on GoFundMe.
The defense, for their part, argued Bobbitt actually received $200,000 from the money donated.
Nevertheless, Bobbitt is now back on the streets despite all the cash raised by 14,000 donors.
A New Jersey Superior Court judge is expected to hold another hearing on the case Wednesday.