Lachlan Morganti charged with theft after he allegedly stole from GoFundMe organised for Hannah McGuire
A cricketer has been accused of stealing $65,000 from a GoFundMe project organized to raise money for the grieving family of alleged murder victim Hannah McGuire.
Lachlan Morganti, 26, has been charged with theft after allegedly stealing from a GoFundMe he organized on behalf of Clunes Cricket Club.
Morganti, who played A Grade cricket for City in Victoria, is alleged to have stolen the money to fuel a suspected gambling addiction.
He was bailed to appear in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court later this month after detectives from the Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit swooped in this week.
Hannah McGuire’s loved ones have been dealt another cruel blow after $65,000 was reportedly stolen from a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her grief-stricken parents (Mrs McGuire pictured)
Lachlan Morganti, 26, (far right in photo) has been charged with theft
The GoFundMe for Ms McGuire’s family has since been deleted (pictured)
The brutal blow comes just two months after Ms McGuire, 23, was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner, 21-year-old Lachlan Young.
Family friend Christine Hill branded the alleged theft as “unthinkable, cowardly actions” on a community Facebook page.
“At a time when we felt so helpless, coming together as a community to raise money for the McGuires felt like the little bit of light we could shed on a family that has been through hell,” Ms. Hill wrote.
“I am absolutely shocked to learn that the $66,294 go-fund-me money was never delivered to Glenn and Debbie (now a police matter).
“The unthinkable, cowardly actions have tarnished what should have been a beautiful, kind gesture to help.
“I never thought Debbie and Glenn would have to deal with this.”
Ms McGuire’s family were emotional outside the Ballarat Magistrates Court in April
Donors were encouraged to file a claim with GoFundMe to get their money back, with Ms Hill sharing the couples’ bank details so people could make direct donations.
The fundraiser has since been aborted, with a GoFundMe spokesperson confirming that they were aware of the ‘alleged misuse of funds’.
“The GoFundMe Trust and Safety team is aware of this alleged misuse of funds and will work with authorities and all parties to resolve the issue,” he said.
Ms McGuire’s body was discovered on April 5 in a burnt-out car near State Forest Road, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria.
Mrs. McGuire had bought a house with Young just under a year before he allegedly killed her (the former couple pose outside the house)
It remains unknown how and why Young (pictured) allegedly killed Ms McGuire
It remains unknown how and why Young allegedly killed Ms. McGuire. He will be kept behind bars until his next court hearing in September.
Ms McGuire had bought a house with Young just under a year before he allegedly killed her.
She was pictured smiling from ear to ear next to a large ‘sold’ sign next to her then partner outside the home in Sebastopol, near Ballarat in regional Victoria.
The snapshot of happiness was taken almost a year ago before Young appeared in court charged with Ms McGuire’s murder.
She had lived with Young until a week before she was allegedly killed.
Her death was initially ruled a suicide, but a The coroner’s report found that she reportedly suffered fatal injuries before the car went up in flames.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
