Racketeering Charges Against NJ Power Broker George Norcross Dismissed
A New Jersey judge ruled the allegations did not meet legal standards for extortion or coercion, prompting an immediate appeal by the state attorney general.
- Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw dismissed the 13-count racketeering indictment against George Norcross and five co-defendants, citing insufficient legal grounds and expired statutes of limitations.
- The charges alleged Norcross used political influence to secure Camden waterfront properties and state tax credits through intimidation and coercion, claims the judge ruled did not constitute a crime.
- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who brought the case, announced plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing the importance of addressing corruption in the state.
- The ruling has sparked mixed reactions among New Jersey gubernatorial candidates, with some questioning the dismissal and others avoiding the topic entirely.
- Norcross, a prominent Democratic figure in South Jersey politics, has denied all wrongdoing, framing the case as an attempt to criminalize tough political negotiations.
The Philadelphia Inquirer 
ABC News 
The Hill 
Gothamist 
