State case against Norcross is dropped
Attorney general will appeal judge's decision
By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... A judge in Mercer County dismissed the state's racketeering case against South Jersey power broker George Norcross III and his five co-defendants Wednesday [02/26/2025] morning.
.....
Judge Peter Warshaw said in his dismissal that he agrees with the attorney arguing on behalf the defendants, who said it is "a fight about where the line is between legal and illegal conduct," and usually "we have a fifth about what happened."
..... "The arguments made by the defense are properly raised and procedurally appropriate in this case and the court is convinced of the correctness of the defense position," he said. "the issue of the facial validity of an Indictment present infrequently."
..... Warshaw's dismissal included four reason of the decision. He said:
* The allegations in the indictment "do not constitute extortion or criminal coercion as a mater of law."
* there is "no racketeering enterprise."
* Dana Redd did not commit any act of official misconduct."
* All charges are "Facially time-barred."
..... Warshaw said in the dismissal that the defendants had correctly asserted that "when the allegations in an indictment do not support the charges, the indictment is palpably defective and subject to dismissal."
.....
He went on to say the "challenge defendants make is purely legal. Defendants suggest that the indictment alleges the essential facts surrounding the crime in detailed fashion and that those facts, accepted as true and construed in the most favorable way to the state, do not constituent a crime."
..... Attorneys for the defendants argued in favor of the dismissal during a marathon hearing in January. [2025] they said prosecutors fail dot show elements of a crime in the 111-page indictment, issued last sumer. [2024]
..... The 13-count indictment alleged that for more than a decade, Norcross and his associates used their power and influence on government officials to craft legislation with the help of Camden officials.
..... His co-defendant were his brother Philip Norcross, as well as Norcross's attorney William Tambussi, former Camden mayor Dana Redd, Norcross's business partners Sidney Brown and real estate developer John O'Donnell.
..... Attorney General Matt Platkin said in a statement that he disagrees "strongly with the trial court's decision, and we are appealing immediately."
..... "After years in which the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently cut back on federal pubic corruption law, and at a time in which the feudal government is refusing to tackle corruption, it has never been more important for state officials to tackle corruption head on," Platkin said. "Today [02/26/2025] is a reminder of how much work remains, and how difficult it will be to clean up government in our state.
..... Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersy.com