A temporarily suspended Jersey City attorney was arrested and charged Thursday for stealing more than $469,000 from the estates of two family members, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
John F. Hamill, 62, of Jersey City, was arrested Thursday morning and charged with two counts of second degree Misapplication of Entrusted Property after an investigation revealed he stole about $469,544 from the estates of an aunt, from North Bergen, and a cousin, in Sea Girt, where he was named executor. Hamill is currently being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $200,000 bail with no option to post 10 percent, as set by Monmouth County Superior court Judge Francis J. Vernoia.
Hamill deposited into his personal checking account about $263,097 from the Estate of an aunt and spent the money for payment o debts and his personal lifestyle. The investigation also revealed, the amount stolen equals the amount of Federal taxes that remain due on the estate.
Hamill also stole about $206,447 from the Estate of a cousin making numerous cash withdrawals he utilized for payment of debts and to pay for personal lifestyle activities.
If convicted of Misapplication of Entrusted Property, Hamill faces a sentence of five to ten years in a New Jersey state prison.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.