Hammonton man accused of defrauding 80-year-old woman out of more than $900K

HAMMONTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- A 50-year-old Hammonton man is accused of exploiting a close personal relationship to defraud an 80-year-old woman of more than $900,000, according to Hammonton police and the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

Jim Donio faces charges related to an alleged scheme in which authorities say he used his own limited liability company to gain control of the victim's assets, including her home and business.

According to court documents, Donio offered to help the woman as her health declined. Investigators allege that instead, he wrote fraudulent checks to himself and fraudulently discharged a seller take-back mortgage on her home, stealing a total of $914,000.

Authorities say Donio has known the victim since he was a teenager. In an ongoing civil case, Donio is identified in court documents as a consultant to Inferrera's Italian Market and a personal confidant of the victim.

Inferrera's Italian Market, a longtime Hammonton business, closed suddenly last year after more than 60 years in operation, surprising many in the community.

"I can't remember a time when this wasn't here and when this wasn't a known, important location," Hammonton resident Christian Sayer said.

The victim told police repeatedly that she trusted Donio to help her business and that she felt betrayed, according to a statement of probable cause.

Community members expressed anger over the allegations.

"I think it's disgusting and devious. I couldn't even imagine someone doing that to someone who's probably worked their entire life," said Stephanie, a Philadelphia resident who declined to give her last name.

John Monahan of Sweetwater also reacted to the accusations.

"Honestly, he can rot in jail as far as I'm concerned. I don't know the whole situation. It's hard to judge, but it's pretty obvious that he's not a very nice person," Monahan said.

Donio is being held in the Atlantic County Jail while awaiting a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday. His attorney had no comment when contacted.