The former West Brom and Coventry City striker was released last month after serving three years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving.
The home team got an early shock when Oldham took the lead, but quickly came back and finished the match well on top.
Craig Davies score the early goal for Athletic, pouncing on an error by Godwin Antwi after 14 minutes to slot the ball under Jan Budtz's body
But within a minute, Pools were level as Andy Monkhouse celebrated his return from suspension with a good run on the right and a low cross that Ian Moore sliced in at the near post.
On 26 minutes it all went pear-shaped for Oldham as Tony Sweeney's flick over the defence sent James Brown into the area and his finished well with an angled shot from the right of the area.
Three minutes before half-time the game was over as a contest when Sean Gregan up-ended Richie Barker in the area and he got up to slam in his third penalty of the season.
In the second half Oldham tried to come back, but they couldn't create chances apart from one that fell to Hughes on the hour when he was sent racing through the middle, but he snatched at his shot and it whizzed a foot wide of the upright from the edge of the area.
That was the end of any Oldham threat and Hartlepool finished them off seven minutes from the end when two substitutes combined for the fourth home goal.
David Foley's shot was blocked deep in the area and the ball fell kindly for Joel Porter to score a simple goal with only keeper Mark Crossley to beat.