Former New Jersey Resident Pleads Guilty in Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Targeting Senior Timeshare Owners

James Toner admits role as manager in multi-year scheme that defrauded victims over age 55 with false promises of rental income and refunds

CAMDEN, NJ — July 24, 2025 — James Toner, 43, a former New Jersey resident currently living in Lake Mary, Florida, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a telemarketing scheme that defrauded senior timeshare owners across the country between 2016 and 2020, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Toner, also known by aliases including “Jason Turner,” “James Turner,” and “Jason Thomas,” entered the guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court on July 24, 2025, to Counts One and Two of a 13-count indictment. Sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2025.

Scheme Details and Victim Targeting

According to court documents and statements made in court, Toner served as a manager and supervisor at three companies operating under the name WAB: WILLIAMS ANDREWS BURNS LLC, RESORT BNB, INC., and WILLIAMS & BURNS, INC.

Between October 2016 and October 2020, Toner and other co-conspirators used telemarketing tactics to target timeshare owners over the age of 55, offering fraudulent services such as:

• Renting or buying owners’ timeshares under false pretenses;

• Promising guaranteed rental income in exchange for upfront fees;

• Offering “recovery services” to reclaim money lost to other scams;

• Claiming victims were owed money held by government agencies like the FTC or a fictitious attorney general’s office, and demanding fees to retrieve those funds;

• Marketing fake buyout or timeshare take-over programs.

The conspirators cold-called victims using purchased lists and used scripted, misleading statements to induce them to pay for services that were never provided. In many cases, the scheme involved fraudulent representations to credit card companies as well.

Co-Conspirators and Sentencing Timeline

Toner is the sixth and final living defendant charged in connection with the 2016–2020 phase of the fraud scheme to plead guilty. The others, all of whom are scheduled for sentencing this fall, include:

• Karen Stefanowski, 63 – Sentencing: Sept. 4, 2025

• William O’Hanlon (a/k/a “Patrick Burns”), 61 – Sentencing: Sept. 24, 2025

• La’Tresa Jackson, 59, of Lindenwold, NJ – Sentencing: Sept. 25, 2025

• Alex Klemash, 32, of Williamstown, NJ – Sentencing: Sept. 23, 2025

• Michael Lambe, 45, of Mullica Hill, NJ – Sentencing: Sept. 30, 2025

A fourth indicted defendant, William Chiusano Jr., formerly of California, died during the proceedings and charges against him were dismissed.

Potential Penalties

Each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud is punishable by:

• Up to 30 years in prison, including a 10-year enhancement for targeting victims over the age of 55 or involving 10 or more such victims;

• A fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense;

• A period of supervised release following imprisonment.

Toner has agreed to pay restitution for any proven losses to victims of WAB.

Investigative Agencies and Prosecution

The investigation was led by:

• FBI – South Jersey Resident Agency, under Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs

• IRS Criminal Investigations – Newark Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan

• Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, under Special Agent in Charge Conor Washington

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elisa T. Wiygul and Diana Vondra Carrig of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

The case underscores federal efforts to protect older Americans from telemarketing fraud and bring those exploiting vulnerable populations to justice.