In a significant legal development, a New Jersey state judge on Wednesday dismissed racketeering charges against prominent Democratic figure George Norcross and several others implicated in the same indictment.
Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw sided with a motion filed by Norcross and his co-defendants, leading to the dismissal of a state grand jury indictment. These charges, brought forth by Attorney General Matt Platkin, accused Norcross and others of creating a scheme to use their political power to influence legislation in their favor.
Attorney General Platkin has expressed his intention to challenge the dismissal and plans to appeal the court’s decision.
These legal proceedings trace back to an indictment revealed in June 2024 by Platkin, accompanied by Norcross’s bold appearance at the announcement. The charges alleged that Norcross, along with five others, had orchestrated a strategic initiative since 2012 to manipulate laws to their advantage.
After a thorough examination, Judge Warshaw found the allegations insufficient to constitute criminal coercion or extortion, citing that the statutes of limitations had expired.
Warshaw articulated in his ruling that within the context of private entities negotiating in a free market, the use of economic pressure may not always equate to unlawful activity. “In economic enterprises within a free market, imposing threats isn’t inherently unlawful,” Warshaw clarified.
The dismissed allegations specifically accused Norcross of intimidating a developer who resisted relinquishing rights to Camden’s waterfront on terms dictated by Norcross. Pertinent to this charge, a recorded conversation featured Norcross warning the developer of “enormous consequences.” When questioned if this constituted a threat, Norcross affirmed, “Absolutely,” according to the indictment.
The legal documents further alleged that Norcross and his co-defendants engaged in extortion and coercion tactics against businesses with property interests in Camden’s waterfront to secure tax incentives, which were subsequently sold for profit. Platkin characterized Camden as a city suffering from prolonged economic challenges.
Arguing in defense, lawyer Michael Critchley previously accused Platkin of harboring a “vendetta” against Norcross, suggesting that the waterfront development had been scrutinized by multiple investigative bodies — including federal prosecutors based in Philadelphia and New Jersey, as well as Platkin’s predecessor — all to no avail.
George Norcross, the prominent executive chairman of insurance firm Conner Strong & Buckelew, was long considered a significant yet unofficial Democratic power broker in New Jersey. He had wielded considerable influence as a former Democratic National Committee representative and previously chaired the Camden County Democratic Party.
The judge’s decision also benefitted other defendants named in the case, including George Norcross’s brother, Philip A. Norcross, a lawyer in New Jersey; longstanding legal representative William M. Tambussi; Dana L. Redd, who leads Camden Community Partnership and was a former Camden Mayor; trucking and logistics CEO Sidney R. Brown; and John J. O’Donnell, an executive in a development company.
