Judge Dismisses Corruption Charges Against George Norcross, State Plans Appeal

A New Jersey judge has dismissed all racketeering charges against George E. Norcross III, a powerful Democratic figure in South Jersey, and his five co-defendants.

The ruling, issued by Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw, puts an end to a case that accused them of using threats and political influence to control real estate deals in Camden.

Attorney General Matt Platkin, who brought the case, has announced plans to appeal.

The decision applies to Norcross, his brother Philip Norcross, former Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd, logistics company CEO Sidney R. Brown, attorney William M. Tambussi, and developer John O’Donnell.

They were accused of illegally securing state tax incentives and pressuring property owners to hand over control of prime Camden waterfront locations.

Judge Warshaw ruled that the state’s allegations did not amount to extortion or criminal coercion.

He also determined that the statute of limitations had expired.

Prosecutors had argued that the alleged conspiracy was ongoing, making the case valid, but Warshaw rejected that claim.

The indictment, filed in June 2024, outlined 13 charges against Norcross and his associates.

Prosecutors claimed they manipulated the Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 to benefit their business interests.

The state alleged that Norcross pressured developer Carl Dranoff to sell property rights related to the Victor Lofts, threatening to destroy his business if he refused.

Warshaw dismissed this claim, describing the dispute as a tough business negotiation rather than a criminal act.

He called it a “steel cage brawl” between two experienced businessmen and compared the exchange to an old Western standoff where both parties fought for dominance.

For the attorney general’s office, this ruling is a major setback.

Platkin stated that corruption cases are difficult to prosecute, especially as federal courts have made it harder to bring public corruption charges in recent years.

He insisted that his office would continue the fight by appealing the decision.

The ruling was a victory for Norcross and his legal team, who had argued from the beginning that the case was politically motivated.

Michael Critchley, Norcross’s lead attorney, called the indictment a “sham” and pointed out that the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey had previously investigated the allegations and found no basis for charges.

He accused Platkin of pursuing the case for political reasons.

Kevin Marino, attorney for Philip Norcross, echoed this sentiment, calling the case “an embarrassment” and suggesting that Platkin should resign.

At a press conference following the ruling, the defense team continued attacking the state’s handling of the case.

Some attorneys hinted that they might take legal action against Platkin for filing charges in the first place.

For critics of Norcross, the dismissal was frustrating.

Camden activist Ronsha A. Dickerson, who has long spoken out against political corruption, said she hoped the case’s exposure would at least make people more aware of how political influence operates in Camden.

Others, like New Jersey Working Families Party leader Antoinette Miles, were more direct, calling the ruling proof that the wealthy play by different rules than ordinary people.

Despite the legal victory, Norcross has lost some political influence in recent years.

His longtime ally, former New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, lost his seat in a surprising 2021 election defeat to Republican Ed Durr.

Though Democrats have since regained some of their lost ground in South Jersey, the political landscape has shifted.

Norcross, who never held elected office, built his influence by backing Democratic candidates, securing political favors, and maintaining strong business ties.

He served on the Democratic National Committee until 2021 and remained close with powerful figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Throughout the case, Norcross continued to strengthen his political connections.

In January, Governor Phil Murphy and four former governors attended a Camden event for Cooper Health, a hospital system Norcross chairs.

The event was seen as a public show of support.

Sweeney, who has remained largely silent on the case, finally spoke out after the ruling.

He called the indictment a mistake and said the judge’s decision confirmed that political prosecutions “have no place in New Jersey.”

While the charges have been dismissed, the state’s appeal means the legal battle is not entirely over.

If an appeals court overturns Warshaw’s ruling, the case could be revived.

But for now, Norcross and his co-defendants are free from prosecution, and the attorney general’s office faces an uphill battle to reinstate the charges.