By: Richard L. Smith
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced today that criminal charges have been filed against six defendants following a years-long investigation into a criminal enterprise allegedly run by George E. Norcross III and his associates.
The 13-count indictment, unsealed today, details a series of unlawful acts by the Norcross Enterprise to acquire property and property rights on the Camden Waterfront, collect millions in government-issued tax credits, and influence government officials.
According to information released by the OPIA, the indictment alleges that from 2012 to the present, the Norcross Enterprise leveraged its power and influence over government officials to craft legislation favoring its interests.
With the cooperation of then-Camden Mayor Dana Redd and other officials, the enterprise is accused of using parts of the city's government to acquire property and property rights through coercion and extortion.
The six defendants charged with first-degree racketeering are:
- George E. Norcross III, 68, of Palm Beach, Florida, executive chairman of Conner, Strong & Buckelew and chairman of the board of trustees for Cooper Health.
- Philip A. Norcross, 61, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an attorney and CEO of Parker McCay, also on the board of Cooper Health.
- William M. Tambussi, 66, of Brigantine, New Jersey, an attorney and partner at Brown and Connery, and personal attorney to George Norcross.
-Dana L. Redd, 56, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, CEO of Camden Community Partnership, and former Mayor of Camden.
- Sidney R. Brown, 67, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, CEO of NFI and a member of the Cooper Health board.
- John J. O’Donnell, 61, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, executive leader at The Michaels Organization and a partner in the groups owning several Camden buildings central to the allegations.
The indictment includes various counts of financial facilitation.