GoFundMe recently closed a campaign that had garnered nearly $740,000 intended for the cancer treatment of Donald Johnson’s wife. Allegations emerged that the fundraiser was secretly set up by Johnson’s daughter, hiding her true identity.
According to NewsNation, GoFundMe received a tip on September 25 indicating that the organizer, known as ‘Erin H,’ was actually Johnson’s daughter. ‘Erin H’ did not disclose her relationship with Johnson on the fundraiser page but admitted it during a recorded call when confronted by GoFundMe.
On the archived page, ‘Erin’ mentioned, “I am reaching out to our community because of a heartbreaking scene I witnessed right outside my front door.” She recounted seeing Johnson carrying her luggage, which had been lost on a flight, stating it was to gather funds for Josephine Johnson’s cancer treatment. Josephine is his wife of 57 years.
GoFundMe released a statement to Fox4, emphasizing their priority to maintain a safe platform for donations. They said, “Upon reviewing the case, our Trust & Safety team found the account and fundraiser violated our Terms of Service. Thus, the fundraiser was removed and refunds issued.”
The company highlighted that such actions safeguard donors’ contributions and ensure ongoing support for fundraisers aiding others. They reiterated the importance of authenticity and transparency, as outlined in their policies and those of their payment processors.
Newsweek made attempts to contact GoFundMe for additional comments outside standard office hours. Updates are expected as the story develops.