George E. Norcross III, New Jersey’s once-powerful Democratic kingpin, was indicted Monday on racketeering charges along with five other co-defendants.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. A 13-count indictment released by Platkin accuses the group of illegally acquiring properties and property rights in Camden, N.J. Beach, collecting millions of dollars in government tax credits and controlling them. and influencing government officials.
“The indictment, unsealed today, alleges that George Norcos has been operating a criminal enterprise in this state for at least the past 12 years.” Mr. Platkin stated this in a written statement. “This indictment shows in full detail how a select group of private businessmen used their power and influence to help the government advance their criminal enterprise and its interests.”
Mr. Norcross’s brother, Philip A. Norkos, the chief executive of a Camden-based law firm, was also among those charged by the attorney general, whose office was investigating Mr. Norkos’ access to government tax benefits.
On Monday afternoon, George Norcross sat alone in the front row of the courtroom in Trenton, N.J., where Mr. Platkin announced the 111-page indictment. He said he had no immediate comment, but added, “I will later.”
The allegations have strengthened New Jersey’s already tarnished reputation for political corruption. The state’s senior senator, Robert Menendez, is in his sixth week of trial, accused by federal prosecutors of accepting cash, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for being willing to use his political influence to benefit allies.
Mr. Norcos, an insurance executive who served on the Democratic National Committee, was for decades the most powerful non-elected political official in New Jersey. He played an important role in electing governors, managing legislation and influencing state policy.
About a year ago, Mr. Norcos suggested he was retiring from politics after a string of legislative defeats. His public statements coincided reports the news That the attorney general’s office reopened an investigation into more than a billion dollars in tax breaks granted to South Jersey companies close to Mr. Norco under legislation backed by former Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
During his first term, Governor Philip D. Murphy, a Democrat, opposed that tax incentive program and openly feuded with Mr. Norco — a tension that defined much of his first two years in office. Mr. Platkin was Mr. Murphy’s top adviser when the state began investigating the program, the Economic Opportunity Act of 2013, and was later appointed attorney general.
Developed with a well-connected Democratic attorney general, the program provided nearly $7 billion in tax breaks but provided few guardrails to protect the state from fraud.
Controversy over the program led to legislative hearings and subpoenas for the companies and at least one government agency, but no charges were ever filed.
The rift between Mr. Murphy and Mr. Norcross has eased as the governor seeks re-election in 2021. together in public, a scenario unheard of for years.
Last year, when Mr. Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy, ran for the U.S. Senate, the Camden County Democratic Committee, an influential group controlled by Mr. Norcos, was one of the first political organizations to endorse her. The endorsement came at a crucial time for Ms. Murphy, a first-time candidate, adding an air of inevitability to her faltering campaign.
Ms. Murphy dropped out of the race in March, days before a key building block to Mr. Norcross’s success — A tradition unique to New Jersey — in which party leaders favored their preferred candidates on primary ballots — was ruled unconstitutional, first by Mr. Platkin and then by a federal judge.
As a result, Mr. Platkin’s relationship with Mr. Murphy, once one of his closest allies, has soured.
In addition to Mr. Norkos and his brother, the accused are:
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William M. Tambus, 66, of Brigantine, N.J., is Mr. Norcos’ longtime personal attorney.
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Dana L. Redd, 56, Sicklerville, NJ, executive director of Camden Community Partnership and former mayor of Camden.
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Sidney R. Brown, 67, of Philadelphia, CEO of NFI, a trucking and logistics company.
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John J. O’Donnell, 61, of Newtown, Pa., who was an executive at the Michaels Organization, a residential development company.
This is a new story and will be updated.
