A viral story about a homeless veteran's good deed has now turned into a sticky situation for all parties involved.
According to BuzzFeed, it all started last October, when Kate McClure from Florence Township, New Jersey, was driving along the always-busy Interstate 95 to Philadelphia to see some friends. Her car ran out of gas during the trip, and Kate (understandably) panicked. She was prepared to abandon her car and trek by foot to the nearest gas station when a homeless man, Johnny Bobbitt, approached her. He told her to get back in her car and lock her doors because of the unsafe area she was in. Then, with his last $20, Johnny purchased a can of gas and returned to Kate's car to fill it.
Kate couldn't repay Johnny back at the moment, but she did visit with him over the following weeks to repay him and gift him gloves, a hat, and a jacket. She got to know Johnny and realized he was a good man who'd fallen on hard times, so she started a GoFundMe campaign with the original goal to earn $10,000. The fundraiser was successful beyond anyone's wildest dreams, earning over $400,000.
Now Johnny says that Kate and her boyfriend are blocking his access to the funds they raised for him. Scroll through to learn more about the controversy.
Johnny and Kate first crossed paths last October, when he helped her get gas for her car after she ran out on I-95.
Kate and her boyfriend, Mark D'Amico, decided to try and help Johnny by setting up a GoFundMe page to get him back on his feet.
"With the money, I would like to get him first and last month’s rent at an apartment, a reliable vehicle, and 4-6 months' worth of expenses," Kate wrote on the fundraiser's page. "He is very interested in finding a job, and I believe that with a place to be able to clean up every night and get a good night’s rest, his life can get back to being normal."
Kate's fundraising attempt was wildly successful, collecting over $400,000 for the homeless man. Seeing that it raised significantly more money than the original $10,000 goal, many asked what Johnny would do.
In an update on the GoFundMe page, Kate revealed solid, responsible plans for the money:
“The first thing on the list is a NEW Home which Johnny will own!! He will never have to worry about a roof over his head again!! Second will be the dream truck he’s always wanted… a 1999 ford ranger (yes I’m serious). There will also be 2 trusts set up in his name, one essentially giving him the ability to collect a small ‘salary’ each year and another retirement trust which will be wisely invested by a financial planner which he will have access to in a time frame he feels comfortable with so when the time comes he can live his retirement dream of owning a piece of land and a cabin in the country. A bank account will be set up for him with funds for every day needs that will get him through until he finds a job. And lastly, he will be donating to a few organizations and people who over the last couple of years have helped him get through this rough patch in his life.”
Since sharing this plan with donors nine months ago, a few updates have been posted to the GoFundMe page.
But Johnny has since revealed that this story isn't as heartwarming as it originally appeared to be.
Instead of a home, Kate purchased Johnny a camper and a used pickup truck in her name. The camper is set on land owned by her family in Florence Township, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Johnny claims that Kate and Mark have told him half the money has already been spent on him, with the other $200,000 being withheld pending his sobriety.
However, Johnny is skeptical that half the money is gone, telling reporters that he's never had access to the money directly. Kate and Mark have closely monitored his spending, putting his things in their name so that he can't sell them for drugs.
At the same time, the couple has allegedly enjoyed a brand-new BMW, several lavish trips, and even a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. Kate reportedly works as a receptionist at the New Jersey Department of Transportation, while Mark works as a carpenter.
A court filing alleges that the couple is using the “GoFundMe account as their personal piggy bank.”
Mark is also admittedly a gambler and claims that while he did gamble away $500 of the GoFundMe money one evening, he replaced those funds with his winnings.
Meanwhile, the couple contends that Johnny once blew a $25,000 chunk of the money in a two-week span, repaying debts to family and friends and obtaining more drugs. Johnny has not denied his struggles with addiction, admitting to two short stints in rehab since the GoFundMe campaign was started.
Kate and Mark also claim that Johnny stole from them and sold their possessions for drug money, a claim that the veteran denies.
Additionally, Johnny has never met with an attorney the couple claims to have obtained for him. He's never seen any paperwork regarding a breakdown of the funds as described by Kate in the GoFundMe update, so he has no proof that any amount of the money still exists.
Kate and Mark have declined to produce a paper trail showing where the money has gone. Kate worries the negative attention from this will cost her her job. Mark has spoken to a few different media outlets about the money, but his story has changed several times.
Meanwhile, GoFundMe has been made aware of the issue and is investigating. Spokesperson Bartlett Jackson released this statement to BuzzFeed News: "GoFundMe is looking into the claims of misuse regarding this campaign. When there is a dispute, we work with all parties involved to ensure funds go to the right place. We will work to ensure that Johnny receives the help he deserves and that the donors' intentions are honored."
We hope that GoFundMe finds a positive way to resolve this issue and get Johnny whatever help he might need.
