James Donio, the former president of Hammonton First, an influential local independent party organization that has controlled the governing body for most of the last two decades, faces charges of theft, money laundering, and tampering with records.
Donio, 50, was arrested on Saturday evening for stealing more than $900,000 from an elderly Hammonton businesswoman who trusted him to help manage her finances following an investigation by the Hammonton Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
He is accused of using fraudulent leases, a fraudulent discharge of mortgage, and numerous unauthorized checks drawn from the woman’s personal and business accounts to take approximately $914,200 between 2019 and 2025.
The alleged victim, an 80-year-old lifelong Hammonton resident and businesswoman, had a longstanding relationship with Donio and considered him a close friend, police said. Donio became involved in her finances through that relationship.
People close to the woman contacted law enforcement after discovering the cumulative financial loss, according to police.
Donio faces one count of first-degree money laundering; four counts of second-degree theft by deception; one count of second-degree theft by unlawful taking or disposition; and three counts of fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records.
Donio was a co-founder and president of Hammonton First from 2005 to 2023. He served as president and CEO of Hammonton Revitalization Corporation/MainStreet Hammonton from 1994 to 2023, and owns a number of local businesses.,