Norcross faces multiple charges

Powerful South Jersey Democrat indicted with 5 others

By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... South Jersey's Democratic power broker George Norcross III, faces racketeering and criminal conspiracy charges, according to a 13-count indictment unsealed Monday. [06/17/2024]
..... The charges stem from tax breaks for a dozen companies that had ties to Norcross, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said, Norcross is charged alongside his booster, Philip Norcross, as well as William Tambussi, Dana Redd, Sindey Brown and John O'Donnell, Platkin's office announced. Norcross' brother, Representative Donald Nocross, a Democrat who represents New Jersey's 1st Congressional Distinct, was not implicated or charged.
..... Norcross has been under scrutiny from officials of years and was seated front row at a press conference convened to announced the charges in Trenton on Monday [06/17/2024 afternoon.
..... "It's often said that in New Jersey, politics is a blood sport, and what's meant by that is that if you don't go along with the demands of those in political power, you'll get hurt, you might lose your job, might lose your business, maybe yo lose your reputation, or maybe government, the very government that you vote for, that you support with your tax dollars, that exists to serve you will instead be weaponized against you," Platkin said. "All of these consequences are on full display in this indictment, but there is nothing interest in our state's culture that requires us to accept polities and government that functions in this way, and as we show clearly in this indictment, there's nothing legal about it either."
..... The 13-count indictment alleges Norcross and his associated obtained both property and property rights on the waterfront in Camden, Collected millions of dollars in government-issued tax credits and controlled and influenced government officials to further their own interest for property and property rights through coercion, extortion and other criminal acts.
..... Unsealed by Platkin's Office on Monday, [06/17/2024] the 111-page indictment claims that, for more than a decade, Nor cross and his associates sued their power and influence on government officials to craft legislation with the help of Camden officials. Platkin spoke for about 20 minutes, detailing specific examples from the indictment about actions taken by Norcross and his co-denfendants to benefit what officials referred to as the Norcross Enterprise.
..... "At least as early as 2012 through the present, the state alleges that the Norcross enterprise used its power and influence over government officials to craft legislation tailored to serve the interests of the Norcross enterprise," Platkin said during the press conference.
..... While announcing the charges, Platkin said that Norcross enterprises unlawfully intervened in the purchase of the L3 complex by a nonprofit redevelopment organization and that the Camden mayor's Office directed the nonprofit's leaders to meet regularly with Philip Norcross, a lawyer elected office or any governmental position within the city of Camden."
..... Platkin said that the "alleged objects and purposes of the Norcross enterprise" were to preserve and build on the power, reputation and profits of the enterprise, to protect and promote George Norcross, to control access to the local political party apparatus, to direct appointment to government positions and to exert influence and control over which would enrich and reward the Norwell as influencing the New Jersey Legislature to pass legislation to increase and advance the interests of the Norcross enterprise by concealing, misrepresenting and hiding the illegal operations of the Norcross enterprise.
..... "Though their alleged acts, the Norcross enterprise was able to obtain the rights to build multiple buildings, obtain hundreds of million of dollars in government, issued tax credits, among other benefits," Platkin said. "They allegedly did this with the complicity and acquiescence of various state and local elected and appointed officials who turned a blind eye to their duties and obligations to the people of New Jersey to instead serve the interests of a powerful few."
..... The defendants also face charges of finical facilitation, misconduct by a corporate official, and official misconduct and conspiring to commit theft by extortion, criminal coercion, financial facilitation, misconduct by a corporate official and official misconduct.
..... An arraignment for the defendant is scheduled for 10 AM. on Tuesday, July 9, [2024] before Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw Jr. in Mercer County.
..... A task force formed by Governor Phil Murphy early in his administration found that the state doled out tax breaks focused on the Camden companies tied to Norcorss.
..... Murphy hired the team of lawyers in January 2019, after the sate comptroller's audit showing loses oversight and management of tax incentives.
..... The task force recommended in July 2020 that the EDA freeze the incentive awards for a dozen companies totaling $578 million. It also made unspecified criminal referrals.
..... Murphy stated his tenure in Trenton at odds with Norcross, but has been building bridges in recent years. he has headlined fundraisers held by Norcross's PAC in recent years.

..... Katie Sobko cover the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com.

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