Democratic Power Broker George Nocross Has Racketeering Allegations Dropped

A New Jersey judge has dismissed racketeering charges against Democratic power broker George Norcross and his co-defendants.

Key Insights

Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw ruled that allegations against George Norcross did not constitute extortion or criminal coercion under the law.
Charges involved alleged strong-arming of political and business leaders for Camden waterfront property rights.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin plans to appeal the dismissal decision.
The judge found that threats made during business negotiations are sometimes neither wrongful nor unlawful in a free market system.

Court Dismisses Charges Against Democratic Power Broker

Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw has dismissed racketeering charges against George Norcross, a significant Democratic power broker in New Jersey, and his co-defendants. The dismissal includes charges against Norcross’s brother Philip A. Norcross, lawyer William M. Tambussi, former Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd, NFI CEO Sidney R. Brown, and development executive John J. O’Donnell. The defendants had faced accusations of using their influence to gain state-issued tax credits and intimidate rivals for a Camden development project, allegations they all denied through not guilty pleas.

In his ruling, Judge Warshaw determined that the indictment’s allegations failed to establish a racketeering enterprise as claimed by prosecutors. The charges centered on allegations that Norcross and his associates had engaged in strong-arm tactics against political and business leaders for property rights on the Camden waterfront. The indictment included quotes of Norcross allegedly threatening a developer, but the judge concluded that such threats did not rise to the level of criminal activity within the context of business negotiations.

Judge dismisses racketeering indictment against New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross, co-defendantshttps://t.co/JD9pq2W8R8 pic.twitter.com/AuoiT4dw4p

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 27, 2025

Legal Reasoning Behind Dismissal

The case dismissal hinged on Judge Warshaw’s determination that the alleged actions, even if proven, would not constitute criminal extortion or coercion under New Jersey law. The court noted that in business negotiations between private parties, certain types of pressure tactics that might appear threatening are actually considered normal practice in a market economy. Additionally, some of the charges were found to be time-barred, meaning the statute of limitations had expired on the alleged offenses.

The indictment had accused Norcross and his co-defendants of using political influence to craft legislation for personal gain since 2012. It claimed they extorted businesses and sold tax incentive credits for millions of dollars. Defense lawyer Michael Critchley countered these charges by accusing Attorney General Matt Platkin of pursuing a personal vendetta against Norcross. Notably, previous investigations into the waterfront development by various agencies had not resulted in charges before this case.

Prosecution Vows to Continue Fight

Despite the setback, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin has announced plans to appeal the decision. Platkin defended his office’s pursuit of the case, framing it as part of a necessary effort to combat corruption in New Jersey politics. The attorney general’s determination to continue the legal battle underscores the contentious nature of prosecuting powerful political figures and the challenges faced by state officials in such high-profile cases.

George Norcross holds significant influence in New Jersey politics, having served as a Democratic National Committee member and major financial backer for Democrats. The dismissal of charges represents a major victory for Norcross and his associates, who have maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings. The case highlights the fine line between aggressive business tactics and criminal behavior, particularly when powerful political figures are involved in development projects with significant public funding components.