Corruption Charges Dropped Against NJ Political Powerbroker

CAMDEN, NJ — A state Superior Court judge has dismissed all charges against South Jersey political boss George Norcross III and his co-defendants in a corruption case.

The Democrat, long considered one of the most powerful forces in New Jersey politics, was charged last year with racketeering, misconduct, and criminal coercion. One of Norcross's brothers, his personal attorney, the former mayor of Camden and two others were also charged.

In an indictment, the state Attorney General accused Norcross and his allies of using their political influence to corruptly obtain lucrative waterfront real estate in Camden. Norcross is executive chair of the insurance firm Conner, Strong & Buckelew and of Cooper University Health Care's board of trustees.

On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw threw out the case, saying there was "no racketeering enterprise" and that the state's allegations "do not constitute extortion or criminal coercion as a matter of law." Warshaw also said the charges were outside the statute of limitations.

The state has 45 days to file an appeal, which New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said he would immediately do.

"...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," Platkin said in a statement. "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."

Warshaw said his order was "a question of law" and is not meant to "dimmish or disregard the admirable service and effort of a particularly committed State Grand Jury" that brought the charges forward.

This is a developing story. Patch will update it as new information becomes available.