James Fred Hastings (April 10, 1926 – October 24, 2014) was an American radio station executive and a Republican politician from New York.

He graduated from Allegany Central School in 1943, and joined the United States Navy for World War II.

[1] Later in 1976, Hastings was indicted for taking kickbacks from three employees while he was a legislator, and using the money to purchase vehicles, snowmobiles, and boats as well as contributing to his children's college tuition and a New York state retirement fund.

[2] He was convicted of mail fraud and filing false payroll information in December 1976 and served 14 months in the United States Penitentiary, Allenwood.

[3] After his release from prison, Hastings lived in retirement in Belleair Beach, Florida until returning to Allegany in 1998.