GoFundMe Says Homeless Veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr Will Receive Remainder of $400,000 in Donations

FILE – In this Nov. 17, 2017, file photo, Johnny Bobbitt Jr., left, Kate McClure, right, and McClure’s boyfriend Mark D’Amico pose at a Citgo station in Philadelphia. McClure and D’Amico, who raised more than $400,000 for Bobbitt Jr., a homeless man after he used his last $20 to fill up the gas tank of a stranded motorist in Philadelphia must now turn over what’s left of the cash. A New Jersey judge issued the order Thursday, Aug. 30, during a hearing on the lawsuit brought by Bobbitt, who worries D’Amico and McClure have mismanaged a large part of the donations raised for him on GoFundMe. The couple deny those claims, saying they’re wary of giving Bobbitt large sums because they fear he would buy drugs. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

GoFundMe has promised homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr. that he will receive the rest of the $400,000 in donations owed to him after the couple who raised the money allegedly spent the cash on luxury goods and holidays.

Bobbitt became a nationwide story after he gave his last $20 to Katelyn McClure, a woman who had run out of gas on the freeway ramp outside Philadelphia.

To pay it forward, McClure and her boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, started the online fundraiser for Bobbitt, drawing contributions from more than 14,000 people.

However, the feel-good tale later descended into an ugly legal battle.

Bobbitt is suing the couple, alleging he’s received only $75,000 of the total and claiming the couple spent the rest on items such a BMW and luxury getaways to California, Florida, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. The couple denies the allegation.

On Thursday, GoFundMe said it would make sure Bobbitt received all of the money he was owed.

“Johnny will be made whole and we’re committing that he’ll receive the balance of the unspent funds raised on his behalf,” it said in a statement. “GoFundMe’s goal has always been to ensure Johnny gets support he deserves.”

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SOURCE: NBC News, Alexander Smith