NJ Democratic power broker George Norcross accused of leading criminal enterprise to score waterfront property, tax credits
New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross was indicted Monday by his state’s attorney general for allegedly leading a 12-year criminal enterprise to obtain lucrative land rights and millions of dollars in tax credits.
Garden State AG Matthew Platkin announced at a press conference in Trenton that Norcross, 68, had been hit with 13 counts, including racketeering, conspiracy to commit theft by extortion and misconduct by a public official.
The 111-page indictment also charges five of Norcross’ South Jersey associates — including his brother, Philip, and former Camden Mayor Dana Redd — with counts of misconduct, criminal coercion and financial facilitation of the criminal enterprise.
Norcross, a former Democratic National Committee member and head of the Camden County Democratic Party, used his influence to “tailor New Jersey economic development legislation” enacted in 2013, the indictment states, scoring property along the Delaware River in Camden and getting boatloads of state-backed tax incentives.
In one case, Norcross threatened a developer that he had to relinquish his land claim or Norcross would retaliate and make it impossible for the developer to do business in Camden if he refused, according to Platkin.
Members of the alleged conspiracy also got a state government development agency to help them get leverage in private negotiations, the AG added.
“The alleged conduct of the Norcross Enterprise has caused great harm to individuals, businesses, non-profits, the people of the state of New Jersey, and especially the city of Camden and its residents — that stops today,” Platkin said.
“We must never accept politics and government — that is funded with tax dollars — to be weaponized against the people it serves. Today we reaffirm that no one in our state is above the law — period.”
FBI agents from the Newark and Philadelphia field offices also spoke during the press conference about their participation in the Norcross investigation.
In a brazen act of defiance, Norcross himself sat in the front row during the news conference and stared Platkin down as the prosecutor detailed the criminal case against him.
Michael Critchley, Norcross’ attorney, stood to try to ask the attorney general a question, but Platkin left the room before the lawyer could do so.
Asked what he made of Norcross’ presence in the room Monday, Platkin said he had no comment.
Critchley did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who was indicted last year for allegedly accepting bribes from three Garden State businessmen in exchange for political favors, received a $10,000 donation from Norcross to his legal defense fund in August.
George Norcross’ other brother, Donald, has represented New Jersey’s First Congressional District in the US House of Representatives since 2014, following a special election in which he was endorsed by Redd, one of the co-defendants.
The six defendants, including Norcross’ longtime personal attorney William Tambussi, NFI Industries CEO Sidney Brown and Michaels Organization executive John O’Donnell, are scheduled for an arraignment hearing on July 9 at 10 a.m. in Mercer County Superior Court.
With Post wires
