FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced charges against a Tinton Falls woman for allegedly stealing over $15,000 from an online fundraiser.
Nicole C. Weidelman, 46, faces a third-degree Theft by Deception charge. The Tinton Falls Police Department, led by Detective William Rodriguez, conducted the investigation. The inquiry began after a Florida man, the intended recipient of the fundraiser, was seriously injured in a car accident on I-95 in November 2022. The victim underwent extensive medical treatment, including over a dozen surgeries, a lengthy hospital stay, and the loss of an arm requiring a prosthetic.
Weidelman, reportedly a family friend of the victim’s mother, set up an online fundraiser to help cover the medical expenses. However, after raising just over $15,000, she allegedly transferred the entire amount into her personal account through multiple transactions. Subsequently, she provided various false explanations to the victims for several months before the theft was reported.
“GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform, and we cooperate with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing. We have removed this fundraiser and banned the account from using the platform for any future fundraisers,” said Erin O’Malley, spokesperson for GoFundMe. “After learning of this incident, GoFundMe delivered funds directly to the intended beneficiary. In the very rare case that funds are misused, our donors and beneficiaries are fully protected by GoFundMe’s Giving Guarantee.”
Weidelman was arrested last week. Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen, Director of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau, is prosecuting the case. Information regarding Weidelman’s legal representation has not yet been disclosed.