From Politico: A judge has dismissed indictments against New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross and his five co-defendants, potentially ending a case that rocked New Jersey politics and boosted the profile of Attorney General Matt Platkin.
Judge Peter Warshaw in a Wednesday ruling tossed the racketeering indictments against Norcross; his brother Phil; attorney Bill Tambussi; former Camden Mayor Dana Redd; John O’Donnell, former CEO of the Michaels Organization rental company; and Sidney Brown, CEO of the logistics company NFI.
Democratic power broker George Norcross has been granted a motion to dismiss the New Jersey Attorney General’s indictment against him and all other defendants on racketeering charges after a judge’s ruling Wednesday.
Norcross, the chairman of the board of trustees at Cooper Health and the executive chairman of insurance firm Conner, Strong and Buckelew, was accused of controlling property deals along the Camden waterfront to collect millions of dollars in tax credits.
The former Camden Mayor Dana Redd was also charged in the indictment, as was Norcross’ brother Philip. The others charged include William Tambussi, George Norcross’ longtime personal attorney, former Cooper Health trustee Sidney R. Brown, and developer John J. O’Donnell.
Brown and O’Donnell were partners in the groups owning various Camden buildings including the Ferry Terminal Building and the Triad1828 Centre.
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said his office will be “appealing immediately.” Here’s his full statement:
“We disagree 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 public corruption law, and at a time in which the federal government is refusing to tackle corruption, it has never been more important for state officials to take corruption head on. But I have never promised that these cases would be easy, because too many have come to view corruption as simply the way the powerful do business in New Jersey. That corruption has consequences: it breeds a loss of trust in government and in our public servants, at a time when we must work to protect and restore faith in our institutions. Today is a reminder of how much work remains, and how difficult it will be to clean up government in our state. But along with the career law enforcement officers and prosecutors who have worked on this case for years, I won’t back down from that fight.”
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In a surprising turn of events, the corruption case against George Norcross, a powerful political figure in New Jersey, has been dismissed. The case, which was brought by the state attorney general’s office, alleged that Norcross had used his influence to secure lucrative tax breaks for his business interests.
The dismissal of the case was reported by Insider NJ, a news outlet known for its in-depth coverage of New Jersey politics. According to the report, the judge overseeing the case ruled that the evidence presented by the attorney general’s office was insufficient to support the charges against Norcross.
This decision has sparked controversy and debate among political observers in New Jersey. Some see it as a victory for Norcross and a vindication of his innocence, while others view it as a miscarriage of justice and evidence of political corruption at play.
Norcross, who is a prominent Democratic power broker in New Jersey, has long been a controversial figure in the state’s political landscape. His close ties to top politicians, including Governor Phil Murphy, have raised questions about the influence he wields behind the scenes.
The dismissal of the corruption case against Norcross is likely to further fuel speculation about his role in New Jersey politics and the extent of his influence over key decision-makers. It also raises questions about the integrity of the state’s legal system and the ability of prosecutors to hold powerful individuals accountable for their actions.
As the fallout from this decision continues to unfold, it is clear that the dismissal of the Norcross corruption case will have far-reaching implications for New Jersey politics and the fight against corruption in the state. Only time will tell how this development will shape the future of politics in New Jersey and whether it will lead to greater transparency and accountability in government.
