South Jersey’s Democratic power broker, George Norcross III faces racketeering and criminal conspiracy charges in a 13-count indictment announced on Monday.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced the filing of criminal charges against six defendants following a years-long investigation into a criminal enterprise allegedly run by Norcross and his associates in South Jersey and elsewhere.
The 13-count indictment alleges that through a series of unlawful acts, the Norcross criminal enterprise obtained property and property rights on the Camden Waterfront, collected millions of dollars in government-issued tax credits, and controlled and influenced government officials to further the interests of the enterprise.
The charges stem from tax breaks for a dozen companies that had ties to Norcross, his brother, Philip Norcross, as well as William Tambussi, Dana Redd, Sidney Brown and John O’Donnell.
George Norcross, who has faced scrutiny from officials for years, was seated in the front row at a press conference held by Platkin in Trenton to announce the indictment.
Norcross, a former Democratic National Committee member and one-time head of the Camden County Democratic Party, has been an influential figure in state politics.
The indictment alleges that from as early as 2012 through the present, the Norcross Enterprise used its power and influence over government officials to craft legislation tailored to serve the interests of the enterprise.
With the cooperation of then-Camden Mayor Dana Redd and other officials, the Norcross criminal enterprise allegedly used parts of the city’s government to aid in acquiring property and property rights through coercion, extortion, and other criminal acts. All six defendants are charged with first-degree racketeering.
George E. Norcross, III, 68, of Palm Beach, Florida, is the executive chairman of the insurance firm Conner, Strong & Buckelew and chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper Health.
Philip A. Norcross, 61, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an attorney and the managing shareholder and CEO of Parker McCay, a New Jersey law firm.
William M. Tambussi, 66, of Brigantine, New Jersey, is an attorney and partner at Brown and Connery, and long-time personal attorney to George Norcross.
Dana L. Redd, 56, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, is the CEO of Camden Community Partnership and former Mayor of Camden.
Sidney R. Brown, 67, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the CEO of NFI, a trucking and logistics company.
John J. O’Donnell, 61, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, is an executive at The Michaels Organization, a residential development company.
The defendants face various counts of financial facilitation, misconduct by a corporate official, and official misconduct, along with conspiring to commit theft by extortion, criminal coercion, financial facilitation, and other charges.
“The indictment unsealed today alleges that George Norcross has been running a criminal enterprise in this state for at least the last twelve years,” said Platkin. “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. 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.”
“Today’s indictment marks the culmination of a years-long, collaborative investigation,” said Drew Skinner, Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. “Every day, we at the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability work with our law enforcement partners across the State to root out corruption and criminal activities that create distrust in government institutions and harm the communities we in law enforcement are sworn to serve and protect.”
The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Newark and Philadelphia Field Offices, the Division of Criminal Justice, the New Jersey State Police, and the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the District of New Jersey.
The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The arraignment for the defendants is scheduled for July 9 at 10 a.m., before Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw Jr. in Mercer County.
George E. Norcross, III, is represented by Michael Critchley, Esq. Philip A. Norcross is represented by Kevin Marino, Esq. William M. Tambussi is represented by Thomas Gosse, Esq. Dana L. Redd is represented by Henry Klingeman, Esq. Sidney R. Brown and John J. O’Donnell have not listed defense counsel.