View Full Version : Couple raises over $400k for homeless man
The story is actually about how the homeless guy is suing then for the money since they won't give it up.
https://apnews.com/9d95a99f8a424acab95ade3cdee6b99b
That's not what has my interest though. So the over $400k was raised by 14,000 people. Divided equally, that's about $28 each. People can spend their money how they want, whatever. I haven't looked up the statics, but will go ahead and assume that most people in this country don't even make $150k, let alone $400k per year. I'm curious what factors were involved to get this number so high.
I've read stuff about the difference between raising money for individuals vs. groups, so I get that factor. There could have been a set goal that people were trying to reach; and I'm sure there was some amount of getting wrapped up in a movement. But at some point, when the amount raised was at $200k there were still thousands of people donating after that. I don't like to think I'm heartless, but when donating to a person that is presented as having nothing, and the donation amount is over what I make in a year, several years really, I wouldn't donate. Who are theses people that keep funding?
Anyway, I hope he gets all the money due to him. I have no doubt that he's been spending it poorly, but if they want to turn into personal financial advisors, they should have done that up front instead of slaping together some hasty fund raiser.
68Charger
08-31-2018, 07:58
The story is actually about how the homeless guy is suing then for the money since they won't give it up.
https://apnews.com/9d95a99f8a424acab95ade3cdee6b99b
That's not what has my interest though. So the over $400k was raised by 14,000 people. Divided equally, that's about $28 each. People can spend their money how they want, whatever. I haven't looked up the statics, but will go ahead and assume that most people in this country don't even make $150k, let alone $400k per year. I'm curious what factors were involved to get this number so high.
I've read stuff about the difference between raising money for individuals vs. groups, so I get that factor. There could have been a set goal that people were trying to reach; and I'm sure there was some amount of getting wrapped up in a movement. But at some point, when the amount raised was at $200k there were still thousands of people donating after that. I don't like to think I'm heartless, but when donating to a person that is presented as having nothing, and the donation amount is over what I make in a year, several years really, I wouldn't donate. Who are theses people that keep funding?
Anyway, I hope he gets all the money due to him. I have no doubt that he's been spending it poorly, but if they want to turn into personal financial advisors, they should have done that up front instead of slaping together some hasty fund raiser.
full disclosure, I didn't read the article yet...
People want to feel that they make a difference, that they're part of a bigger story. Some people get this thru Work, Church, Politics, and others Philanthropy. I'm guessing that those that keep donating are ones without such a connection that fulfills this need already.
Agreed. People are generally bad at money, and the quest to feel good about helping is likely more powerful than the realization that you're now donating to someone in a far *better position than you.
*Assuming a homeless person has zero debts but is now flush with cash.
I read a similar article the other day, basically the same story. Kinda glad the guy finally will get all that money. So what if he spends it poorly.
I wish I was given the opportunity to resist the temptation to spend a large windfall in stupid ways.
I wish I was given the opportunity to resist the temptation to spend a large windfall in stupid ways.
we could all get a Tesla [ROFL2]
Great-Kazoo
08-31-2018, 09:41
we could all get a Tesla [ROFL2]
And be able to afford the electric upgrades.
If I had a Tesla, my first mood would be a crank handle off a Model T driving out of the grill. No one would get it though.
ChickNorris
08-31-2018, 11:20
If I had a Tesla, my first mood would be a crank handle off a Model T driving out of the grill. No one would get it though.
I would have
StagLefty
08-31-2018, 11:30
If I had a Tesla, my first mood would be a crank handle off a Model T driving out of the grill. No one would get it though.
Everyone knows that's for the dashboard clock [Coffee]
I don't know, I find this stuff interesting. I'm always trying to fundraise for several schools music departments and I am barely about to get anything (1-2K a year) to support those functions. I think I do all the advertising like these other people and present a strong case for supporting music education, etc... but man, I'm blown away by how people raise half a mil in just a few weeks. A total $10K would support several of the programs I try to help out for all year plus some!! lol.
You know, if each member here would just donate one dollar to me I could buy a pretty sweet rifle.
It's way easier to raise funds for an individual over a group.
Watch this video when you have the time Bear. This is something you can listen to, you don't have to watch it. One of the things it talks about is fund raising. It actually covers a wide variety of topics that would be fun to discuss here, but I can't find a place to fit it. I encourage everyone to take a look though.
https://youtu.be/s9wxpn4nflA
If I had a Tesla, my first mood would be a crank handle off a Model T driving out of the grill. No one would get it though.
Is the joke that there is no "grill"?
I was reading an article about this the other day. Interesting that they raised $400K...but only $150K was left, but the couple that are holding the money haven't screwed the guy over?
The whole episode is a trainwreck.
This reminds me of the woman in CA that was killed by a female mountain lion. The mountain lion was put down, but the lion's progeny had to be cared for. Separate fund raisers were started for the woman's family (I recall she had 2 kids) and the little mountain lions. Much more money was raised for the mountain lions than the woman's family. That's messed up.
I heard and read about this.
My take is that the addict and those two knuckleheads are running a scam and they've gotten $400K from it so far.
The video I posted has a story about how millions or dollars was spent to save one puppy.
I didn't watch the video. I'm just commenting on the first line of your opening thread.
I expect most people won't watch it, I was just passing along information.
I expect most people won't watch it, I was just passing along information.
His podcast, Hidden Brain is a good listen.
Yes sir, agreed. That video is basically a short podcast and just as enlightening.
The guy became famous because he gave them his last $20 so they could fill up their car's gas tank.
That same couple now owns a brand new BMW. They embezzled that money that people donated under the promise it would be given to the homeless man for his generosity.
Only a moron didn't see this coming:
All GoFundMe money is gone, attorney for homeless man John Bobbitt says
https://6abc.com/all-gofundme-money-is-gone-attorney-for-homeless-man-says/4144230/
Only a moron didn't see this coming:
https://6abc.com/all-gofundme-money-is-gone-attorney-for-homeless-man-says/4144230/
Yep. I friggin' HATE people. Especially those who would take money from someone who gave them his last $20. I hope they rot in Hell.
Just makes his charity seem that much more important.
The MAIN reason that most people aren't rich, is because people can't handle money.
How ironic. They'll probably soon be without a home trying to pay the homeless dude off. It's doubtful he'll have that money long. Depending on who you believe he's already gone through 76-200k with nothing to show for it. Just goes to prove that for some people money solves nothing. I would say that includes all parties involved. Donors included. A heartfelt thanks and repayment of original 20 bucks would have been more productive.
68Charger
09-04-2018, 21:48
Just to further PSS's point, I'll just leave this here...
http://www.viralthread.com/what-you-need-do-if-you-win-the-lottery/
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/24vzgl/you_just_won_a_656_million_dollar_lottery_what_do/chba4bf
Fascinating view into human behavior, if it wasn't so morbid.
BladesNBarrels
09-05-2018, 09:09
Interesting statistic:
About 70 percent of people who suddenly receive a windfall of cash will lose it within a few years, according to the National Endowment for Financial Education.
Police raid New Jersey couple's home after $400G in GoFundMe cash they raised for homeless veteran disappears (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/police-raid-new-jersey-couples-home-after-dollar400g-in-gofundme-cash-they-raised-for-homeless-veteran-disappears/ar-BBMX5cc)
Police raided the home Thursday of a New Jersey couple who have been ordered by a judge to appear in court to explain what happened to the $400,000 they raised online for a homeless Good Samaritan.
Footage taken from the scene showed a shiny, black BMW car being towed away from the Bordentown property owned by Katie McClure and Mark D’Amico. Other videos showed D’Amico hitting golf balls off the lawn surrounding the home and ABC6 reported bags of items being loaded into a law enforcement vehicle.
Burlington County said a "search warrant was executed early this morning by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Florence Township Police Department at the residence of D'Amico and McClure in connection with a criminal investigation into the Johnny Bobbitt matter."
"As of this time, there have been no charges filed," Burlington County Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina said in a statement.
Superior Court Judge Paula Dow said the day before that McClure and D’Amico must show up in court next week for a deposition in a suit filed by Bobbitt over the whereabouts of the hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for him via GoFundMe, according to Fox 29.
Bobbitt’s story went viral in late 2017 after he gave McClure his last $20 for gas when she was stranded. She set up a GoFundMe page for him, which raised $400,000.
LAWYER SAYS HE WAS 'COMPLETELY SHOCKED' AFTER HEARING THAT FUNDS VANISHED
Eventually, the relationship soured sometime after Bobbitt received roughly $75,000 of the funds. He used the money to purchase a camper and SUV, but he has admitted he squandered some of the cash on drugs. He no longer has the camper or SUV, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday.
Bobbitt accused McClure and D’Amico of mismanaging the donations raised. The couple deny the claims.
Dow on Wednesday had chastised the pair’s attorney over “grandstanding” and said his clients have to appear in person to assert their right against self-incrimination. Bobbitt was also ordered to be deposed.
In court, McClure and D'Amico's attorney, Ernest Badway, said about $200,000 had gone to Bobbitt, but Dow said Badway indicated he was "misadvised" by his clients and that later the court learned there was no money left. She said she wants them to appear in person. Neither the couple nor Bobbit was in court Wednesday.
"I am not allowing you to be their voice anymore," said Dow, a former state attorney general.
D'AMICO REPORTEDLY SAID GIVING 'ADDICT' THE MONEY WOULD BE LIKE 'GIVING HIM A LOADED GUN'
Last month, D’Amico claimed that he controls the funds in the account and that he would dispense the money when Bobbitt gets a job and stops using drugs.
Dow also ordered the couple last month to wire the remaining funds to a trust for Bobbitt by Friday, and submit an accounting report of the donated money.
The money will be transferred to an account controlled by Bobbitt’s lawyers but can’t be used until the judge determines how it will be managed.
However, it seems that the funds have vanished.
Fallon said in court on Wednesday that Bobbitt is entering a 30-day residential treatment program. He has earlier said Bobbitt has a drug addiction.
GoFundMe spokesman Bobby Whithorne said the company is working with law enforcement to ensure that Johnny Bobbitt gets all the money raised for him.
BladesNBarrels
09-07-2018, 09:08
Why is the homeless Bobbitt name familiar sounding?
John and Lorena Bobbitt
Lorena stated in a court hearing that, after coming home at night on June 23, 1993, her husband raped her.
After her husband had gone to sleep, Lorena grabbed a knife from the kitchen, entered their bedroom, and removed her husband's penis at its base.
After this, Lorena left the apartment with the severed appendage and drove away in her car. After a while, she threw it into a field.
After realizing the severity of her crime, she stopped and called 9-1-1.
John's penis was found after an exhaustive search, and it was reattached in the hospital where he was treated.
The operation took nine and a half hours.
However, it never regained full sensation.
New Jersey couple and homeless man whose feel-good story went viral charged with GoFundMe scam (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-jersey-couple-and-homeless-man-whose-feel-good-story-went-viral-charged-with-gofundme-scam/ar-BBPKCLA)
It was a feel-good story for the ages — a homeless military veteran’s random act of kindness and a New Jersey couple intent on helping him get back on his feet — that inspired people to donate than $400,000 in an online fundraiser when it went viral last fall.
But prosecutors say Mark D’Amico, Kate McClure and Johnny Bobbitt Jr. fabricated the story in an effort to raise money for themselves.
“The paying it forward story that drove this fundraiser might seem too good to be true,” Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said at a press briefing Thursday afternoon. “Unfortunately it was. The entire campaign was predicated on a lie.”
The three were each charged with second-degree conspiracy and theft by deception.
OctopusHighball
11-18-2018, 09:55
New Jersey couple and homeless man whose feel-good story went viral charged with GoFundMe scam (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/new-jersey-couple-and-homeless-man-whose-feel-good-story-went-viral-charged-with-gofundme-scam/ar-BBPKCLA)
They more or less had a good thing going, giving half to crazy homeless guy, then keeping half for themselves. But crazy guy is like "why settle for just half?" and makes a play for the remainder, engaging the services of an attorney to make it happen. Too late, it's basically gone by that point thanks to casinos and BMW dealerships and Coach bags. But now, lawyers are involved and they all three go down. There will be court cases and lawyers fees and tears.
My takeaways;
1) Karma is a bitch
2) Don't break the law
3) If you are planning on breaking the law, don't conspire with crazy people
4) The only winners in this story are the lawyers
And this story simply affirms my own personal rule when it comes to street beggars... Don't give money to feed other people's addictions when I can barely afford my own!
kidicarus13
11-18-2018, 09:59
Don't give money to feed other people's addictions when I can barely afford my own!
Word
ChickNorris
11-18-2018, 10:24
Ive offered to purchase an item at the local store that meets with the request of a solicitor. The few times a person quickly agreed, I made good. Vitriol words for any response other than yes please or thank you.
Though, I've dropped a $20 on the ground in a parking lot a few times just to watch who finds it & what happens after...
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.