'No one is above the law': Uproar as Democratic power broker George Norcross charged with racketeering in 13-count indictment

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Attorney General indicted Democratic power broker George Norcross for allegedly operating a racketeering enterprise to get lucrative property rights and millions of dollars in tax incentive credits, reported the New York Post.

AG Matthew Platkin announced the indictment at a press conference in Trenton on Monday, June 17, hitting the 68-year-old Democratic kingmaker with 13 counts of racketeering, official misconduct, and conspiring to commit theft by extortion.

The 111-page indictment also charged five of his South Jersey associates, including his brother Philip Norcross, William M Tambussi, Dana L Redd, Sidney R Brown, and John J O'Donnell, as per a press release by the New Jersey attorney general's office.

Who is George Norcross?

Norcross, the executive chairman of insurance company Connor Strong & Buckelew, is one of the Garden State's most influential unelected Democrats.

He was a member of the Democratic National Committee until 2021 and was the chairman of Camden County's Democratic Association from 1989 to 1995.

Besides, he is also the chairman of the board of Camden-based Cooper Health System, Cooper University Hospital, and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, as per The New York Times. Norcross was also a close friend of the former House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and was a member of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Representative Donald Norcross, who has served NJ's 1st congressional district since 2014, is his brother.

George Norcross accused of scoring waterfront property through criminal enterprise

According to the indictment, Norcross used his politics to "tailor New Jersey economic development legislation" to scrap property rights along the Delaware River in Camden and obtain massive state-backed tax incentives.

Furthermore, the New Jersey AG said that the indicted power broker once demanded a developer to yield his land claim, threatening him with retaliation that would make it impossible for the developer to conduct business in Camden.

"On full display in this indictment is how a group of unelected, private businessmen used their power and influence to get the 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," Platkin stated.

"We must never accept politics and government — that is funded with tax dollars — to be weaponized against the people it serves. Today we reaffirm that no one in our state is above the law — period."

Norcross himself was an audience at the press conference, sitting in the front row staring at the attorney general while Platkin explained the criminal case.

Internet voices fury for delayed indictment against George Norcross

Outraged at the delayed action against Norcross, netizens suggested that no one should be above the law.

"No one is above the law," a user said. Meanwhile, one remarked, "Another democrat falls in disgrace."

A user added, "The government is a gravy train for unscrupulous types and we sadly have far too many crooks and criminals in office."

One response read, "He's been corrupt a lot longer. What took them so long. He helped ruin NJ."

"It’s about time. They’ve been trying to put together a case against these two bros & partners for years. People have even died due to their shady dealings, FCS," another person wrote.

"Shocking, a politician getting caught being a dirty crook," someone else chimed in. An individual said, "Cons & criminals, regardless of party, should absolutely be held accountable for their misdeeds."

Another user added, "These Democrats & some Republicans think there untouchable and no fear of being arrested or jail time."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.