NJ prosecutors drop racketeering case against Dem power broker, co-defendants
New Jersey’s acting attorney general, Jennifer Davenport, announced on Tuesday that she will not seek a review from the state Supreme Court regarding the dismissal of racketeering charges against Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III and his co-defendants. This decision comes after a three-judge appellate panel upheld a state judge’s ruling to throw out the criminal charges, which were initially brought by former Attorney General Matt Platkin during Governor Phil Murphy’s administration.
The indictment, issued in June 2024, accused Norcross and five others of operating an “enterprise” since 2012 to manipulate legislation for their own benefit by leveraging their political influence. However, the state judge determined that the prosecution’s claims did not meet the legal standards for criminal coercion or extortion and were time-barred, leading to the charges being dismissed.
Despite the allegations, Norcross and his legal team have consistently maintained his innocence, arguing that the indictment was politically motivated. This assertion has been repeatedly refuted by Platkin and his office. Norcross, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics, held significant influence as the executive chairman of Conner Strong & Buckelew, a leading insurance company. He was also a former Democratic National Committee member and previously led the Camden County Democratic Party.
In response to the appellate court’s decision, the attorney general’s office stated that they would allocate their prosecutorial resources to other matters and remain committed to combating public corruption, especially in a time marked by growing distrust in government. The dismissal of the racketeering charges against Norcross and his associates signifies a significant development in a high-profile case that has garnered widespread attention.
