Lawyer Indicted in Monmouth County, Allegedly Dipped into Family Estates

A Jersey City-based lawyer faces a possible trial in Monmouth County for allegedly skimming more than $469,000 from  the estates of two family members.

John F. Hammill, 62, was indicted Monday by a grand jury in Freehold on two counts of misapplicaiton of entrusted property, and two of theft by failure to make a required disposition.

Each count is a second-degree charge, with possible prison sentences of five to 10 years each on conviction.

Hammill is incarcerated in the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, authorities said. He was arrested in October. Hammill's bail was set at $200,000, with no option for release on payment of 10 percent.

Hamill is accused of using about $263,097, from the estate of an aunt who lived in North Bergen, to pay personal expenses and debts. The amount equals the total of federal taxes due on the estate, investigators said.

Hamill is also accused of paying more debts and maintaining a comfortable lifestyle with about $206,447 out of the estate of a cousin from Sea Girt.