Attorney General Platkin unveils the allegations
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By Andrew Seidman and Jeremy Roebuck, Philadelphia Inquirer, Updated June 17, 2024, 1:21 p.m.
South Jersey power broker George E. Norcross III and key figures in his Democratic political machine were charged Monday in a sweeping racketeering indictment, alleging that they used their influence over city government to corruptly acquire lucrative waterfront real estate and development rights in Camden.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin unveiled the 13-count indictment at a news conference in Trenton, with Norcross, 68, sitting in the front row.
It charges him and five codefendants — including his brother Philip, his longtime lawyer William Tambussi, and former Camden Mayor Dana Redd — with various acts of racketeering, financial facilitation, misconduct by a corporate official, and official misconduct that threaten to send them to prison for years.
The charges come days after Platkin’s office charged two Norcross allies on the board of South Jersey Transportation Authority with misusing their positions to exact revenge on a Norcross foe.
The filing of criminal charges against Norcross himself — not to mention several of his key allies — threatens both his political legacy and the narrative he has helped to build over the last decade of Camden’s comeback from decades of poverty and financial disinvestment.
They also threaten to upend New Jersey’s political map ahead of the state’s 2025 gubernatorial race. Among the Democrats running for governor, with Norcross’ backing, is his childhood friend and one of his closest political allies, former state Sen. President Stephen Sweeney.
The real estate investigation, which has been in the works since at least 2022, is the latest probe by state and federal authorities targeting Norcross and his network. But it is the first to ever result in charges against the 68-year-old insurance executive and Camden County native who, despite never having held elected office, is considered one of the most influential political figures in New Jersey.
Over the last quarter century, Norcross has built the South Jersey Democratic machine into a juggernaut that has propelled key allies into all levels of politics and government from city councils and local party committees to government agencies and the state legislature. His backing helped to elect his brother Donald Norcross to Congress in 2013 and to install Sweeney in his leadership role in the state Senate in 2009.
Related Norcross coverage:
Bombshell indictment alleges sweeping network of corruption (northjersey.com)
Power broker George Norcross charged in bombshell indictment (Politico)
George Norcross, Power Broker, Is Charged With Racketeering (NY Times)
NJ Democratic kingmaker indicted on racketeering charges (CNBC)
‘The Norcross Enterprise’ hit with 13-count racketeering indictment (NJBIZ)
Investigation focuses on Norcross’ influence over Camden (EnviroPolitics)
Huge loss for political boss Norcross in fight with Governor (EnviroPolitics)
After a costly race, Norcross to raise funds for Sweeney PAC (EnviroPolitics)
Norcross v. Polistina Feud Spills into Public View (EnviroPolitics)
NJ power broker Norcross is stepping back from politics (EnviroPolitics)
Tax Break scandal leads to $5 M fine for energy company (EnviroPolitics)
EDA approves $18.3M for Camden hotel with Norcross ties (EnviroPolitics)
NJ powerbroker accuses Murphy of ‘political retribution’ (EnviroPolitics)
How Norcross allies got $1.1 Billion in Tax Breaks (EnviroPolitics)
How Norcross came to own Camden’s most valuable land (EnviroPolitics)
Why Norcross says he was booted from Eagles game (EnviroPolitics)
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