Man who conspired with then-girlfriend and homeless man to launch viral GoFundMe scam sentenced to 27 months

A New Jersey man who conspired with his then-girlfriend to cook up a feel-good story about a helpful homeless man and then used the lie to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations online was sentenced in federal court Friday to more than two years in prison.

Mark D'Amico will also have to serve three years probation once he completes his 27-month term. He also must pay restitution and undergo gambling, drug and mental health counseling.

Before being sentenced, D'Amico told U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman that he was a changed man, devoted to his family.