“I’ve outlined three or four things that this guy has been involved with since he was attorney general, and there’s more to come.” – George Norcross
New Jersey Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III was charged on Monday with operating a racketeering enterprise, threatening people whose properties he sought to take over, and orchestrating tax incentive legislation to benefit organizations he controlled.
Norcross, seated in the front row during a news conference by Attorney General Matt Platkin, angrily denounced the charges and later called Platkin a “coward,” demanding a speedy trial.
The charges against the 68-year-old Norcross and five others come as New Jersey is already under a political and legal microscope, with Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez on trial in New York on federal corruption charges. Platkin, also a Democrat, cast the charges as law enforcement cracking down on wrongdoing.
“When we say no one is above the law, we mean it, and we will continue to hold accountable anyone who puts their interest above the public interest, no matter how powerful they may be,” Platkin said.
In a 111-page indictment unsealed on Monday, the attorney general alleges a scheme reaching back to 2012 in which the defendants—referred to as the “Norcross Enterprise” in the indictment—used his political influence to craft legislation that served their own interests.
Among the allegations against Norcross are charges that he threatened a developer who would not relinquish his rights to waterfront property in Camden, New Jersey, on Norcross’ terms. The indictment cites a profanity-laden phone recording of Norcross in which he tells the developer he will face “enormous consequences.” When the person asks if Norcross is threatening him, according to the indictment, Norcross replies, “Absolutely.”
“I want to go to trial in two weeks. We are prepared; they will delay; they will have all kinds of excuses for why they won’t do this because this is all about a smear campaign. What I’m also saying is there are going to be scores of people here who will identify and testify as to the motives of this fellow. When I finished listening, I said to myself, ‘Where’s the beef? Where is the beef here?” he said, adding he showed up and sat in the front row to show Platkin he’s not scared. “Because I want to witness an extraordinary embarrassment and outrageous conduct from a government official who stands up there and tries to act holier than thou. I’ve outlined three or four things that this guy has been involved with since he was attorney general, and there’s more to come—a lot more that’s going to be presented from various sources throughout this state about activities that have gone on that are improper and, in some cases, probably illegal. We want to go to trial in two weeks, Matt Platkin. Come join us, try the case because your people don’t want to try anything. You get down here and back up your words. Stop it. Okay, thank you.”
