The law enforcement community and a political taskforce have been monitoring him for years, but he has never been arrested.

New Jersey’s Attorney General charged on Monday one of the most powerful Democrats in the state and his allies with a long-running corrupt scheme.

In a year in which New Jersey’s notorious boss system has been radically disrupted, the charges against George Norcross are another seismic event. George Norcross has been portrayed as a symbol of New Jersey’s political bosses. Law enforcement and a task force have been investigating him for years, but he has never been arrested.

Indictment brought by Attorney-General Matt Platkin depicts years of extortion. Norcross, according to Platkin, has been running a criminal organization for at least 12 years. This has caused harm to businesses, people, and “especially” to Camden, one of the poorest cities in the state.

Platkin stated at a recent press conference that “the Norcross enterprise manipulated the government programs and processes intended to attract investment and development to suit their own financial needs.” “Instead contributing to the success of the city Camden, Norcross took over the waterfront of Camden by committing a series criminal acts, as alleged in the State’s case.”

Uninvited, the South Jersey power broker attended the press conference and sat on the first row of the podium. He stared at Platkin while he read out the 13-count racketeering indictment and other charges. The team of his attorneys objected after a staffer from the Attorney General’s Office asked him to move and complained that attorneys were not allowed to ask questions at the press conference.

Norcross said to reporters outside the Attorney’s Office: “I’m going to watch a government official’s outrageous and embarrassing conduct. He’s trying to act as if he is holier than thou.”

Norcross criticized Platkin personally and demanded that a trial begin in two weeks.

He said, “I want Matt Platkin down here to try this case for himself.” “Because Matt Platkin is a coward, because he forced people to do his bidding in this building.”

Indictment also reflects the political culture of the state. New Jersey’s senior senator Bob Menendez is currently in the middle of his second federal corruption trial.

It is often said that New Jersey politics are a bloodsport. Platkin explained that if one does not comply with the demands made by those in power, they will be hurt.

Platkin continued, “But nothing in our state’s cultural heritage requires us to accept a government and politics that function this way.” “And, as we [so clearly] state in this indictment… there’s also nothing legal about it.”

Norcross, whose brother Donald holds a seat in the House of Representatives, has had a tremendous impact on New Jersey politics without ever holding an elected position. Insurance broker by profession, Norcross built what is known as South Jersey Machine, a Democratic coalition that’s considered to be one of the most powerful in the state. He was a former member of the Democratic National Committee, and counted Nancy Pelosi as one of his close friends.

Norcross’ influence peaked under Republican Gov. His influence was at its peak under Republican Governor. Norcross was a childhood pal of Chris Christie’s, who teamed up with Steve Sweeney to form the Democratic Senate. Norcross admitted he had been diminished after losing the 2021 legislative elections held in South Jersey, including Sweeney’s seat. He told POLITICO he would step back from state politics.

Platkin has also accused Norcross’ brother Philip – a lawyer, lobbyist, and former Camden mayor – Bill Tambussi, Sidney Brown (CFO of NFI, a trucking company), and John O’Donnell a leader in the residential development firm The Michaels Organization.

The indictment was filed three days after Platkin accused two South Jersey Transportation Authority Board members of retaliating allegedly against an engineer firm whose executive refused Norcross’s political request.

The charges against Norcross, and others — referred to by Platkin in the “Norcross Enterprise” — include racketeering and misconduct as well as financial crimes. They carry up to 20-year prison sentences.

The 111 page indictment details a decade’s worth of criminal activity, with a lot of the information relating to tax credits and waterfront developments that have been extensively covered by the media.

Norcross is alleged to have threatened a developer with waterfront property rights when he refused to give them up on Norcross’ terms. Norcross allegedly told the developer he would “f**k up like you have never been f**ked before,” according the indictment. Norcross also promised to make sure that the developer did not do business in Camden ever again. According to the indictment, others conspired with the city to condemn the developer’s right and plotted to have city officials publicly accuse him of not being a “reputable person.”