George Norcross, a pivotal Democratic figure in New Jersey's politics, faces serious allegations.
According to Fox News, New Jersey authorities have charged George Norcross and his close cohorts with racketeering and illicit manipulation of legislation to gain personal benefits.
Although George Norcross has never been an elected official, he has significant control over New Jersey's political mechanisms.
As a prominent businessman and influential Democrat, Norcross has now been accused of using his political leverage for personal gain, particularly in the Camden waterfront developments.
George Norcross is embroiled in a legal matter alongside his brother Philip Norcross, attorney Bill Tambussi, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, Sydney Brown, the CFO of NFI, and New Jersey businessman John O’Donnell. The group is accused of manipulating economic legislation to benefit their own businesses by exploiting state-backed incentives.
According to the indictment, since the introduction of specific legislation in September 2013, the accused have been involved in schemes to extort and coerce to gain control over valuable properties and tax credits. This alleged manipulation reportedly enabled them to reap significant financial gains through government policies tailored to their advantage.
State Attorney General Matt Platkin summarizes the scope of these accusations, revealing that the indicted parties acquired properties and won millions from state-supported financial incentives. "George Norcross led a criminal enterprise that exerted pressure and threats to manipulate economic outcomes to their benefit," Platkin stated.
Norcross has been a significant player in the Democratic National Committee and has relationships with key political figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. His influence, although never formalized by an election, extends deeply into New Jersey's legislative processes.
Despite the gravity of these charges, George Norcross’s brother, Donald Norcross, a congressman, has not been implicated in these allegations.
Regarding the indictment, Matt Platkin emphasized how Norcross and his collaborators "used their political place to tailor New Jersey economic development legislation to their preferences." This allowed them an unfair advantage and the ability to sway legislative outcomes for personal gain.
According to the indictment, "George Norcross led a criminal enterprise whose members and associates agreed the enterprise would extort others through threats and fear of economic and reputational harm and commit other criminal offenses to achieve the enterprise's goals."
The prosecution details a telling view of the operations, stating that the accused strategically positioned themselves to benefit massively from the legislation they influenced. These activities raise serious questions about the intersection of business interests and public duty.
The legal proceedings might unfold over an extended period, considering the case's complexity and high-profile nature. The outcomes could potentially resonate beyond New Jersey, prompting nationwide discussions on political lobbying and economic legislation manipulations. George Norcross has made no secret of his political involvement, previously stating his effectiveness in shaping New Jersey's political landscape despite his non-elected status.
