The latest twist in the GoFundMe grifter story—wherein a New Jersey couple stands accused of stealing about $300,000 in donations that they’d raised for a homeless Good Samaritan—came early this week, when suspect Mark D’Amico was arrested on an outstanding traffic warrant.
D’Amico, 39, was arrested at his home by Florence Township police at around 9:30 p.m. Monday evening, according to a statement released Tuesday by Burlington City police, who issued the warrant.
The department said they initially stopped D'Amico on Oct. 25, 2017 for a non-moving violation - a broken tail light. Police detained D'Amico for potentially having a warrant for his arrest, but he supplied the necessary documentation and was released at the scene.
He was, however, issued summons for driving with a suspended license, failure to surrender his driver's license after suspension, and failing to maintain his lamps, Burlington City police said.
Police said D'Amico did not show in court, a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was arrested in May of this year, and he posted $500 cash bail. He did not show again in court, so another arrest warrant was issued on July 2.
D’Amico spent the night in the Burlington County jail before posting a $500.01 bail sometime Tuesday, and is next expected in court on September 18.
D’Amico and his girlfriend, Kate McClure, made headlines last fall after a former Marine struggling with addiction, John Bobbitt, Jr., got gas for McClure when she was stranded in Philadelphia one night in October. The couple eventually created a GoFundMe on Bobbitt’s behalf, which went ultra viral, ultimately raising over $400,000 to help the homeless veteran get a fresh start on life. Though the money was supposedly bound for two independently managed trusts, D’Amico and McClure put the money in their own bank account instead, and controlled Bobbitt’s access to it.
After local ABC reporter Chad Pradelli received a tip in January that McClure and D’Amico were suddenly enjoying quite an extravagant lifestyle—including lavish trips to Las Vegas, helicopter rides, and a new BMW—he and his team began quietly monitoring the couple and their social media presence. Bobbitt finally sought legal help this summer, and filed a civil lawsuit in August.
The civil suit was put on pause last week after authorities raided the couple’s home, and a criminal investigation launched. Though D’Amico and McClure told NBC’s Megyn Kelly that there’s $150,000 of Bobbitt’s money left, the couple’s soon-to-be former attorney claims there’s no money left.
Not unlike D’Amico’s traffic case, the couple has failed to appear in all hearings surrounding the case thus far, drawing the ire of Judge Paula Dow.
GoFundMe has promised that Bobbitt will “be made whole” and donors’ wishes honored; they’ve already granted $20,000 to his lawyers’ care, and Bobbitt was scheduled to enter a residential drug treatment program on Friday.
Want to learn more about this story? Check out my previous in-depth coverage:
Good Samaritan and homeless Marine allegedly robbed of $400K—by the New Jersey couple he once helped
Homeless vet to be reimbursed by GoFundMe for stolen funds; criminal investigation launched
Facing indictment, New Jersey GoFundMe grifters get dropped by their attorney