Hammonton First Leader Charged with Stealing $914K from Elderly Woman

A prominent figure in Hammonton politics is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly exploiting a longtime friendship to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly woman in our community.

James Donio, 50, was arrested Saturday evening on charges including theft, money laundering, and tampering with records. The former leader of Hammonton First—the independent political organization that has dominated local government for much of the past twenty years—allegedly stole approximately $914,200 from an 80-year-old Hammonton businesswoman between 2019 and 2025.

The alleged victim, a lifelong Hammonton resident, had trusted Donio as a close friend and allowed him to become involved in managing her financial affairs, according to police. That trust was allegedly betrayed through a systematic scheme involving fake lease agreements, a forged mortgage discharge document, and unauthorized withdrawals from both her personal and business bank accounts.

The investigation, conducted jointly by the Hammonton Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, began after people close to the woman discovered the cumulative financial losses and contacted law enforcement.

Donio now faces nine criminal counts: a first-degree charge of money laundering, five second-degree charges including four counts of theft by deception and one count of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, and three fourth-degree counts of falsifying or tampering with records.

The charges represent a stunning fall for someone deeply embedded in Hammonton's civic life. Donio co-founded Hammonton First in 2005 and served as its president until 2023, helping shape local politics during a period when the organization controlled most seats on the governing body. He also led Hammonton Revitalization Corporation/MainStreet Hammonton as president and CEO from 1994 through 2023, a role focused on downtown economic development.

Beyond his political and nonprofit work, Donio owns several local businesses in the community.

The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly residents who place their trust in individuals they consider friends, particularly when those individuals hold positions of community prominence. The alleged theft occurred over a six-year period, suggesting a sustained pattern of financial exploitation.

First-degree charges in New Jersey carry potential sentences of 10 to 20 years in state prison, while second-degree charges can result in 5 to 10 years. The investigation remains ongoing.