NJ political leader accused of stealing over $900K from elderly woman

💲James Donio was charged with stealing over $914K from an 80-year-old woman

💲Investigators say he gained control of her finances, home and family business

💲Donio faces theft, money laundering and records tampering charges

HAMMONTON — The head of an independent political organization who ran dozens of businesses is charged with scamming an elderly woman out of over $900,000.

James Donio, 50, developed a close friendship with an 80-year-old woman and her family, and took control of her personal and business accounts between 2019 and 2025, according to Hammonton police. The woman was not identified but described as a "businesswoman and lifelong resident of Hammonton."

When the woman's health began to deteriorate just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Donio volunteered to be the office manager at the store her family owned since 1959, investigators said in court documents.

He wrote checks to himself using a stamp with the woman's signature, investigators said. Donio also used several fraudulent leases and the fraudulent discharge of a mortgage via his business, Donio Realty, to take full control, investigators said.

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Hammonton Google Maps Canva (2)

Friends and acquaintances suspicious

Donio used business filings to make himself the registered agent or director of the company, investigators said.

Donio convinced the woman that she could live worry-free by selling her home to him; she had no mortgage on the home and paid $23,000 for it in 1976, officials said.

Several people who were described as being close to the woman became aware of the losses and notified police. The woman lost a total of $914,200 to Donio, according to police.

The woman told investigators later that she was sad about the situation and felt betrayed by Donio. Several times she said she trusted Donio to help her business and that he took advantage of their friendship.

Donio was arrested on July 17 and charged with:

• 4 counts of second-degree theft by deception
• 3 counts of fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records
• First-degree money laundering
• Second-degree theft by unlawful taking or disposition

Donio's attorney was not disclosed in court documents.

'Lifelong entrepreneur, leader, and philanthropist'

On his LinkedIn page, Donio describes himself as a "lifelong entrepreneur, leader, and philanthropist who has founded, scaled, and sold more than two dozen businesses with revenues ranging from $200,000 to $200 million."

Donio is also the founder and CEO of the Eagle Theatre and Hammonton First, which he described as the "longest-running, most successful, local independent party in America." Members of the group held majority control of the mayor and town council in Hammonton, according to Donio.

Chris Coleman contributed to this report

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