Page 6 - AT

A6 U.S. NEWS
Friday 16 November 2018
Couple, homeless man charged in charitable scam

By MIKE CATLALINI were released. Their at-
Associated Press torney said they have no
MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) comment.
— A feel-good tale of a All were charged with theft
homeless man using his last by deception and conspir-
$20 to help a stranded New acy to commit theft by de-
Jersey woman buy gas ception. The charges carry
was actually a complete prison time of up to 5 to 10
lie, manufactured to get years.
strangers to donate more Prosecutors began in-
than $400,000 to help the vestigating after Bobbitt
down-and-out good Sa- claimed he wasn’t getting
maritan, a prosecutor said the money that had been
Thursday. raised on his behalf. He lat-
Burlington County pros- er sued the couple.
ecutor Scott Coffina an- The prosecutor said
nounced criminal charges “there’s a good chance”
against the couple who the alleged fraud might not
told the story to newspa- have been uncovered had
pers and television stations Bobbitt not brought a civil
along with the homeless suit earlier this year alleging
man who conspired with that the couple misman-
them to tell the story. aged the funds.
Coffina said the money, do- The investigation began af-
nated to homeless Marine ter the lawsuit was brought
veteran Johnny Bobbitt, and parts of the group’s
will be refunded to people In this Nov. 17, 2017, file photo, Johnny Bobbitt Jr., left, Kate McClure, right, and McClure’s story “didn’t ring true,” Cof-
who saw the story and con- boyfriend Mark D’Amico pose at a Citgo station in Philadelphia. fina said.
tributed to him through a Associated Press In one text exchange in
GoFundMe page set up by no in October 2017 shortly — to a friend. The couple where they claimed their March 2018, McClure wor-
the couple, Mark D’Amico before the three told their bought a BMW, took a New first encounter happened ried that she and D’Amico
and Katelyn McClure. story. Year’s trip to Las Vegas and and went on “Good Morn- had less than $10,000 re-
“The entire campaign was Less than an hour after the bought high-end hand- ing America.” maining, but D’Amico
predicated on a lie,” Cof- couple set up the page bags, among other items. Bobbitt, 35, was arrested wasn’t concerned, Coffina
fina said. “It was fictitious to solicit donations, Mc- More than $85,000 in cash Wednesday night by U.S. said.
and illegal and there are Clure sent a text message was withdrawn at, or near, marshals in Philadelphia He was certain that a book
consequences.” to a friend acknowledging casinos in Atlantic City, and remained in custody deal they were pursuing
Coffina said almost no part the story was “completely Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Thursday on probation would “dwarf” the money
of the tale was true. Mc- made up,” prosecutors Philadelphia and Las Ve- detainers and a $50,000 from the GoFundMe fund-
Clure didn’t run out of gas. said. gas. bond. A message was left raiser and a few months
Bobbitt didn’t spot her in “I had to make something The fraud didn’t stop with with a previous attorney of later, when the dispute
trouble and give her mon- up to make people feel the GoFundMe page. The Bobbitt’s. with Bobbitt became pub-
ey. bad,” McClure said in a trio did interview after in- D’Amico, 39, and McClure, lic, D’Amico was not dis-
Instead, the group met text — one of 60,000 re- terview, posed for photos 28, surrendered to authori- suaded, according to the
near a Philadelphia casi- viewed by prosecutors together, revisited the spot ties Wednesday night and prosecutor.q

Florida man pleads not guilty in political pipe bombs case

By JIM MUSTIAN New York. Sayoc — who ment will need three weeks of some of the president’s
Associated Press faces five federal counts, to present its evidence at opponents with crosshairs
NEW YORK (AP) — The Flor- including use of a weapon Sayoc’s trial. over their faces.
ida man accused of send- of mass destruction — is Sayoc’s mother said in a An improvised explosive
ing pipe bombs to promi- accused of sending 16 im- recent letter to ABC News mailed to former Demo-
nent critics of President provised explosive devices her son grapples with men- cratic presidential nominee
Donald Trump pleaded not through the U.S. mail to tal illness, though she didn’t Hillary Clinton in suburban
guilty Thursday to charges victims across the country. provide any further details Chappaqua, New York,
carrying a potential pen- None of the devices ex- about his condition. But it’s contained a picture of Clin-
alty of life in prison. ploded. Authorities said he not clear whether Sayoc’s ton and members of her
Cesar Sayoc entered the targeted numerous Demo- attorneys intend to raise family marked with a red
plea through his lawyers crats, critics of Trump and that defense in court. “X,” prosecutors say.
during his appearance in CNN — a scare that height- Baumgartel declined to Others targeted by the
Manhattan federal court. ened tensions before the comment on her client’s mailings included former
U.S. District Judge Jed Ra- This Aug. 30, 2015, file photo crucial midterm elections. mental health after Thurs- President Barack Obama,
released by the Broward
koff set a July 15, 2019, trial County Sheriff’s office shows Federal prosecutors said day’s hearing. former Vice President Joe
date. Cesar Sayoc in Miami. authorities are still scour- Sayoc was arrested on Oct. Biden, California Sen. Ka-
The judge suggested ear- Associated Press ing surveillance video from 26 in Plantation, Florida out- mala Harris and New Jersey
lier dates, but Sayoc’s at- the U.S. Postal Service and side an auto parts store. Sen. Cory Booker. Pack-
torneys said they needed ery in the case and a lack lining up experts to exam- He had been living in a van ages were also mailed to
more time to prepare giv- of staffing at the federal ine the explosive devices. covered with stickers of CNN’s offices in New York
en the amount of discov- public defenders’ office of They estimated the govern- Trump and showing images and Atlanta.q