A state judge in New Jersey has made the decision to dismiss racketeering charges against prominent Democratic figure George Norcross and several others who were charged alongside him. The ruling was granted by Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw in response to a motion to dismiss the indictment on racketeering charges brought by Attorney General Matt Platkin.
The charges, which were announced in June 2024, accused Norcross and five other defendants of operating an enterprise since 2012 to leverage their political influence for personal gain. However, Judge Warshaw found that the prosecution's allegations did not meet the criteria for criminal coercion or extortion and were also deemed time-barred.
In his ruling, Judge Warshaw highlighted that in certain situations involving private parties negotiating economic deals in a free market system, the use of economic fear to obtain property may not necessarily be wrongful or unlawful. This perspective played a significant role in the decision to dismiss the charges.
Among the specific allegations against Norcross was a claim that he had threatened a developer regarding waterfront property rights in Camden, New Jersey. The indictment referenced a phone recording in which Norcross used strong language and mentioned 'enormous consequences' for the developer if he did not comply with Norcross' terms.
In addition to Norcross, the indictment also accused the co-defendants of extorting and coercing businesses with property rights on Camden's waterfront and profiting from tax incentive credits. Attorney General Platkin described Camden as a city that has long suffered from economic decline.
Defense lawyer Michael Critchley had previously accused Platkin of having a personal vendetta against Norcross, pointing out that the waterfront development had been subject to investigations by various agencies over the years, all of which had yielded no substantial findings.
George Norcross, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics and business, has been known for his significant influence within the Democratic Party. The dismissal of the indictment not only applies to Norcross but also to his brother, his lawyer, and other co-defendants involved in the case.
