A New Jersey woman has been sentenced to three years in state prison for her role in a GoFundMe scam that raised more than $400,000 from donors.
Katelyn McClure, 32, pleaded guilty to helping her boyfriend spread a false story about a homeless veteran. She is currently serving a 12-month and one day term in a federal prison in Connecticut for her involvement in the scheme.
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office announced in a news release Friday that the judge ruled McClure, a former transportation department worker, is “permanently barred from ever holding another position as a public employee.”
McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, concocted a story in 2017 that she had run out of gas and was stranded on Interstate 95 in Burlington County. They claimed that a homeless veteran, Johnny Bobbitt, had come to her rescue and given her his last $20.
The couple set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Bobbitt, which quickly went viral and raised more than $400,000. However, prosecutors said the couple had actually conspired to make up the story and use the money for their own personal use.
Bobbitt was also sentenced to five years of probation for his role in the scam. D’Amico is awaiting sentencing.
McClure must also pay restitution to the victims of the scam.
Key takeaways:
- Katelyn McClure, 32, has been sentenced to three years in state prison for her role in a GoFundMe scam that raised more than $400,000 from donors.
- McClure is permanently barred from ever holding another position as a public employee.
- McClure must also pay restitution to the victims of the scam.
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