Remember Josh Hall, the bisexual, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania delivery driver?
We reported on his story last December, when he admitted to bilking Trump supporters out of thousands of dollars as part of an internet scheme. Well, now Hall has landed in the headlines again, this time, for getting arrested in connection with his grift.
Federal authorities arrested Hall, 22, for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with his “Gay Voices for Trump” scheme. Last year, Hall boasted that he launched a GoFundMe campaign for the non-existent group. He also started dummy social media accounts for members of the Trump family, and used them to post QAnon-type conspiracy theories as a means of attracting attention to the GoFundMe. By December, he had raised $7,384.
Related: Meet the 21-year-old con artist who scammed ‘Gays For Trump’ donors out of cash
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“Joshua Hall allegedly impersonated family members of the then-President of the United States on social media to fraudulently induce hundreds of victims to donate to a political organization that did not exist, and then pocketed those funds for his own use,” U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement. “We thank the FBI for their partnership in the investigation of this case, and we remain dedicated to rooting out and prosecuting fraud wherever we find it.”
If convicted, Hall could face up to 20 years in prison.
In his New York Times interview last year, Hall–who worked as a delivery driver at the time–claimed that he never withdrew funds from the GoFundMe. Court filings allege, however, that Hall did use the funds for personal expenses.
“There was no nefarious intention behind it,” Mr. Hall told The Times. “I was just trying to rally up MAGA supporters and have fun.”
The New York Times further reports that court filings also contain rare charges against Hall for creating fake social media accounts. As part of his scheme, Hall impersonated several members of the Trump family including Robert Trump, the president’s brother; Barron Trump, the president’s teen son; and Elizabeth Trump Grau, Donald Trump‘s sister. Donald Trump himself even replied to tweets on the fake Grau account.
Chrisk
I have no problem with what he did. If you believe that a “Billionaire” needs your donations then you’re just a dumbass and deserve to be scammed.
Openminded
I have to agree. I figure anyone could post a GoFundMe for almost anything and muster $7k from idiots who are likely going to give what little money they have away to a scammer anyway. I’m actually a bit shocked that the Trump believers only forked over $7k.
Cam
SO he was arrested for that, but Eric Trump wasn’t arrested for stealing huge sums of money from a kids cancer charity, or Donald for stealing money raised for Vets.
KyleMichelSullivan
Eric scammed people who cared and we willing to share to help others, so that’s no big deal. But scam the Former Guy’s supporters? Oooooooh, not nice. Go straight to jail. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
It’s like what happened with Bernie Madoff. He was jailed for scamming the rich instead of the poor and middle class. “You just don’t do that.”
dougie
The difference, I believe, is that Eric is a rich white guy. Rich white guys rarely ever get charged for their crimes and, if they are charged, are rarely convicted and, if they are convicted rarely serve any time for their crimes. Josh is not a rich white guy.
Heywood Jablowme
Similarly, Steve Bannon stole over $1 million from Trumpanzees in his “build the border wall” scheme. The judge reluctantly had to dismiss the charges because of Trump pardoning Bannon. His three partners in the scheme still face charges. They’re rich white guys, but will they be convicted for “scamming the Former Guy’s supporters”? It’s a gray area but I’m guessing NO?
Hdtex
Seems legit if he scammed only MAGAts.
Doug
Anyone in connection to Trump these days spells s-o-c-i-o-p-a-t-h.
Prax07
He could get 20 years for a little over $7k? Ridiculous!
Leash
I actually agree with you on something. Surely the sentence won’t fall out this harsh but still, that is crazy.
Going to jail? Rich people could nevah!
mailliw110
He’s smarter than the average elephant.