the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, in a major legal development, a judge has dismissed racketeering indictments against New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross and five co-defendants, potentially bringing an end to a case that sent shockwaves through New Jersey politics and elevated Attorney General Matt Platkin’s profile.
Indictments Tossed in High-Profile Case
Judge Peter Warshaw ruled on Wednesday to dismiss the charges against Norcross, his brother Philip, attorney Bill Tambussi, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, John O’Donnell (former CEO of the Michaels Organization), and Sidney Brown (CEO of logistics company NFI). The decision marks a significant setback for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, which had accused Norcross and his associates of controlling Camden waterfront property deals to secure millions in tax credits.
Case Background and Dismissal
Norcross, a key figure in New Jersey politics and chairman of the board of trustees at Cooper Health, was indicted alongside former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, his longtime personal attorney William Tambussi, and business leaders Sidney R. Brown and John J. O’Donnell. Brown and O’Donnell were involved in property ventures, including the Ferry Terminal Building and the Triad1828 Centre in Camden.
The ruling effectively halts prosecution at the state level, although the legal battle may not be over.
Attorney General Matt Platkin Vows to Appeal
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin expressed strong disagreement with the ruling and announced plans for an immediate appeal. In a statement, he emphasized the importance of state-led corruption cases, especially as federal enforcement has weakened:
“We disagree strongly with the trial court’s decision, and we are appealing immediately. After years in which the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently cut back on federal public corruption law, and at a time in which the federal government is refusing to tackle corruption, it has never been more important for state officials to take corruption head-on. But I have never promised that these cases would be easy, because too many have come to view corruption as simply the way the powerful do business in New Jersey. That corruption has consequences: it breeds a loss of trust in government and in our public servants, at a time when we must work to protect and restore faith in our institutions. Today is a reminder of how much work remains, and how difficult it will be to clean up government in our state. But along with the career law enforcement officers and prosecutors who have worked on this case for years, I won’t back down from that fight.”
What’s Next?
With the Attorney General’s Office preparing to appeal, the legal battle is far from over. The dismissal raises critical questions about the effectiveness of state corruption laws and the future of political accountability in New Jersey. As the appeal process unfolds, this case will remain in the spotlight, shaping political and legal discourse in the state.
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AG loses again.