TRENTON, N.J. — George E. Norcross III, New Jersey’s once-powerful Democratic kingmaker, was charged Monday with racketeering along with five other defendants.

Accusations Unsealed by New Jersey’s AG

The 13-count indictment unsealed by New Jersey’s attorney general, Matthew J. Platkin, accused the group of unlawfully obtaining property and property rights on the waterfront in Camden, New Jersey; fraudulently collecting millions of dollars in government-issued tax credits; and controlling and influencing government officials.

“George Norcross has been running a criminal enterprise in this state for at least the last 12 years,” Platkin said in a statement.

Related Story: Madera Pharmacist Pleads Guilty in Long-Running Opiate Trafficking Scheme

Norcross’ brother, Philip A. Norcross, CEO of a Camden-based law firm, and the city’s former mayor, Dana L. Redd, were also among those charged in the indictment. Platkin’s government-integrity unit had been investigating George Norcross for more than a year in connection with the redevelopment of the Camden waterfront.

On Monday afternoon, Norcross, who now lives in Florida, showed up at a news conference Platkin held in Trenton, New Jersey. Norcross’ team of lawyers and at least one co-defendant, William Tambussi, a lawyer who has represented the city of Camden, sat behind him.

Norcross said Platkin was acting on a personal vendetta, calling him a “coward” and a “politician masquerading as an attorney general.”

“He’s innocent,” his lawyer, Michael Critchley, added. “He’s not afraid of the accusations.”

Related Story: Long Prison Stint for Fresno Man Busted in Child Solicitation Sting

Reputation of New Jersey Politics Blemished

The charges immediately served to further tarnish the already blemished reputation of New Jersey politics. The state’s senior senator, Democrat Bob Menendez, is in his sixth week of a corruption trial, charged by federal prosecutors with accepting cash, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for his willingness to use his political clout to dole out favors for allies.

Norcross, an insurance executive who served on the Democratic National Committee, was for decades the most powerful unelected political official in New Jersey. By donating generously to political campaigns and assembling a powerful South Jersey voting bloc in the Legislature, he was instrumental in selecting governors, steering legislation and influencing state policy.

Related Story: Man Plotted Mass Shooting in Atlanta to Incite ‘Race War,’ Officials Say

Tambussi, who joined Norcross and Critchley for an impromptu news conference after Platkin finished announcing the charges, said he was “proud of the work” he had done for the city of Camden.

“I kind of wonder why I’m here,” he added.

_

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Tracey Tully
c.2024 The New York Times Company
Distributed by The New York Times Licensing Group