John Hamill's license to practice law in New Jersey has been suspended and he agreed to disbarment as part of his plea deal, authorities said. Watch video
FREEHOLD -- A suspended Jersey City attorney has admitted that he misused more than $75,000 from the estate of his deceased cousin, a Sea Girt resident, authorities said on Wednesday.
John Hamill, 65, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of misapplication of entrusted property by using his dead cousin's money for his own purposes, said acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.
Hamill, who entered his plea before Superior Court Judge Joseph Oxley in Freehold, was arrested in October 2014 after an investigation by the prosecutor's office revealed he made several withdrawal for the estate of his cousin, Gramiccioni said. He said Hamill used the money to pay debts and finance activities in his personal life.
As part of his plea agreement, the prosecutor's office will recommend that Hamill be sentenced to serve 180 days in the Monmouth County jail in Freehold as a condition of probation. The agreement also calls for Hamil to repay the estate $109,422, Gramiccioni said. Hamill, whose license to practice law is suspended, has also agreed to disbarment as a part of the plea deal, he said.
His sentencing is scheduled for June 17.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.