A gambling addict admitted to defrauding a grieving family of over $64,000 from a GoFundMe he initiated, but ultimately avoided jail time. 26-year-old Lachlan Morganti was sentenced to a two-year community correction order and 400 hours of community service by the Ballarat Magistrates' Court in Victoria, Australia.
Severe Gambling Addiction
Morganti misappropriated the funds raised for the family of 23-year-old Hannah McGuire. Hannah's body was discovered in a burnt-out car in April this year. The fundraising campaign initially aimed for $15,000 but surpassed this goal within four days, raising over $64,000 in total. Morganti established a connection with Hannah's family through the Clunes Cricket Club where he played and launched the fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses and other financial needs.
In previous court hearings, it was revealed that Morganti had a severe gambling addiction, having used $10,000 from his own pension to satisfy his gambling needs. His intention was to use the money to pay off accumulated gambling debts. Judge Michelle Mykytowycz stated that Morganti would have faced six months in prison had he not pleaded guilty.
Infringing on the McGuire Family's Right to Grieve Privately
Judge Mykytowycz told Morganti: "Your desire to repay debts from previous gambling losses became uncontrollable, and you acted selfishly. Your actions infringed on the McGuire family's right to mourn privately and deprived them of the opportunity to maintain dignity during the process, as your actions brought unnecessary attention."
Hannah's mother, Debbie McGuire, told Morganti face-to-face: "The defendant not only betrayed our trust but also completely disregarded the trust and generosity of the entire community. We hoped to focus on the tragic circumstances of Hannah's death, but the focus was shifted elsewhere."
"We will never be able to use the money as we intended. It's gone, and we can never get it back. I am heartbroken for those who donated generously in a time of helplessness."
Apology to the Family
Morganti admitted to the victim's mother the next month that he had squandered the money within just four to five days. After Debbie McGuire called the police, authorities learned that Morganti claimed his actions were to pay off debts and cope with his gambling addiction.
The victim's mother also told the court that Morganti showed "complete disregard for the trust and generosity of the entire community."
He attended Hannah's funeral, standing alongside those whose donations he had misappropriated. Although the McGuire family received no funds, GoFundMe has agreed to reimburse all donors who contributed to Hannah's family.
Following the incident, Morganti registered with the national gambling self-exclusion registry Bet Stop, and he told the media outside court: "I'm sorry things got to this point. I never thought it would happen... I'm very sorry."
Hannah's former boyfriend Lachlan Young has denied the murder charge, with his next court date scheduled for December 9, 2024.
