US police raid house of couple accused of stealing homeless Johnny Bobbitt’s GoFundMe cash

Kate McClure and Mark D’Amico set up an online fundraiser for a homeless stranger whose selfless gesture touched hearts around the world. Then the story took a dark twist

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In this November 17, 2017, file photo, Johnny Bobbitt Jnr, left, Kate McClure, right, and McClure's boyfriend Mark D'Amico pose at a Citgo service station in Philadelphia. Bobbitt, a homeless man whose selfless act of using his last US$20 to fill the gas tank of a stranded motorist in Philadelphia drew worldwide attention. Photo: TNS

Published: 2:30pm, 7 Sep 2018Updated: 12:38am, 8 Sep 2018

Johnny Bobbitt Jnr will get his US$400,000.

GoFundMe and Cozen O’Connor, the Philadelphia law firm representing the homeless man, announced Thursday evening that Bobbitt will receive an amount equal to the balance of the funds from the online fundraiser set up for him in November.

“We’re committing that he’ll get the balance of the funds that he has not yet received or benefited from. GoFundMe’s goal has always been to ensure Johnny gets support he deserves,” said the statement.

“This is an extremely rare situation and we are working with law enforcement officials to get Johnny the money raised on his behalf,” said Bobby Whithorne, director of North America Communications for GoFundMe.

What happened to the actual donations is now under criminal investigation.

This photo taken August 15 shows Johnny Bobbitt Jnr, who is suing Kate McClure and Mark D'Amico for the US$400,000 they raised for him on GoFundMe. Photo: AP

US law enforcement officials converged Thursday on the New Jersey home of the couple accused of stealing money from a GoFundMe campaign set up to help Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless man whose kindness to a stranger touched hearts across the nation and beyond.