A big-time New Jersey Democrat kingmaker was indicted on racketeering charges.
George Norcross, who for decades was the Democrat boss and kingmaker in New Jersey politics, his brother Philip Norcross, and a few other defendants were charged in a 13-count indictment in a case pursued by the state’s attorney general Matthew Platkin.
According to a 111-page indictment unsealed on Monday, Norcross lead a “criminal enterprise” in South New Jersey.
“The entities that benefitted, including Cooper Health and [the insurance firm Conner Strong & Buckelew CSB] then occupied the properties they obtained interests in and sold the tax credits they obtained for millions of dollars,” the indictment said, according to CNBC.
“The indictment unsealed today alleges that George Norcross has been running a criminal enterprise in this state for at least the last twelve years,” New Jersey Attorney General Platkin during a press conference as Norcross sat in attendance.
“On full display in this indictment is how a group of unelected, private businessmen used their power and influence to get government to aid their criminal enterprise and further its interests,” Platkin said. “The alleged conduct of the Norcross Enterprise has caused great harm to individuals, businesses, non-profits, the people of the State of New Jersey, and especially the City of Camden and its residents.”
“That stops today,” Platkin added.
WATCH:
Excerpt from CNBC:
George Norcross, who for decades had been a Democratic political kingmaker in New Jersey, was charged with racketeering in an indictment unsealed Monday.
Norcross’s brother, Phillip Norcross, and four other defendants also were charged in the 13-count, 111-page indictment filed by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
Platkin accused George Norcross of leading a “criminal enterprise” in South Jersey that used political influence to tailor economic redevelopment along the waterfront of Camden, New Jersey to suit the defendants’ financial interests, extorting and pressuring others to obtain property rights and tax incentive credits linked to the development efforts.
George Norcross, a 68-year-old insurance executive and former member of the Democratic National Committee, was chair of the board of trustes of Cooper University Health Care and chair of Conner Strong & Buckelew.
Now a resident of Florida, George Norcross was in attendance at a press conference Platkin gave on the charges Monday in Trenton.
More on this story from ABC News: