Attorney: Woman in GoFundMe case says she was used and set up

Sunday, November 18, 2018
Attorney: Woman in GoFundMe case says she was used and set up
The tale about the GoFundMe encounter described by officials as a hoax has taken a new turn as reported by Dann Cuellar during Action News at 11 on November 16, 2018..

MT. HOLLY, N.J. -- The tale about the GoFundMe encounter described by officials as a hoax has taken a new turn.

Now, the woman accused in the scam is turning against her now ex-boyfriend and the homeless veteran.

Her attorney Friday night says she was being used and set up.

Attorney James Gerrow said, "She is a wonderful person and the other side of that is that she's a bit naive."

RELATED: Prosecutor: GoFundMe story about helpful homeless vet was a hoax

To hear Kate McClure's attorney tell it, she did not know that her ex-boyfriend Mark D'Amico and homeless veteran, Johnny Bobbitt had known each other for some time.

"All along Kate had no idea that there had been a conspiracy really between D'Amico and Bobbitt to get money through GoFundMe," said Gerrow.

She now claims D'Amico had concocted the whole story that Bobbitt had helped her with his last $20 after she ran out of gas and even though it wasn't true.

She went along with it for one reason, "In reality, Kate thought she was helping a homeless veteran," said Gerrow.

The goal was to raise $10,000 but the GoFundMe page quickly ballooned to over $400,000. And then she claims this happened.

"And Bobbitt said to D'Amico, look you folks have done a lot for me, I wanna give you $250, 000," said Gerrow.

RELATED: All GoFundMe money is gone, attorney for homeless man John Bobbitt says

While the homeless man got his share of the money, the couple would go on to buy cars, go on trips to Disney Land and Vegas among other places.

But then the whole thing blew apart when the homeless man complained publicly that he had been ripped off.

Ultimately investigators would determine that hero homeless veteran helping a stranded motorist was all a hoax.

McClure's attorney blames it all on Bobbitt and D'Amico suffering from addictions.

"Its my view that Mr. D'Amico suffers a gambling addiction & Mr. Bobbitt suffers a heroin addiction," he said.

McClure's attorney says she and D'Amico are no longer together and haven't been since September.

Their first court appearance is scheduled for December 24, Christmas Eve, although he says it is unlikely they will appear in person.