Democratic Power Broker George Norcross Charged With Running Over A Decade Long Criminal Enterprise

Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 7:00 A.M. ET. By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,

TRENTON, NJ.- Long-time South Jersey Political Power Broker George Norcross, III, and five others were charged in a 111 Page Indictment that was unsealed on Monday, June 17, 2024, for allegedly running a 12-year criminal enterprise that was led by Norcross, which may have finally brought the end to New Jersey’s Democratic political Machine. 

     Yesterday’s indictment is just the latest in a series of political upsets that have struck New Jersey in the past year. Senator Bob Menendez, another powerful Democratic political boss, is on trial for bribery and corruption offenses that were unsealed late last year in the Federal Southern District of New York. This comes just months after a federal judge struck down the “county line” process used by the Democratic Political Machines to suppress intra-party challengers for the 2024 Democratic primary. 

     Norcross was charged with his brother Phil, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, and three other business associates. The indictment alleges that for the past twelve years the “Norcross Enterprise” participated in a pattern of extortion and racketeering a the expense of the residents of Camden, New Jersey.

     During a news conference on Monday, N.J. Attorney General Matt Platkin said, “George Norcross has been running a criminal enterprise in the state for at least the last 12 years. The alleged conduct of the Norcross enterprise has caused great harm to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, the people of the state of New Jersey, and especially, especially to the City of Camden and its residents.

     According to documents in the case, 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, and with the cooperation of then, Camden Mayor Dana Redd and other officials, used parts of the city’s government to aid the enterprise in acquiring property and property rights for itself and others through coercion, extortion, and other criminal acts. All six of the following 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 McCoy a New Jersey law firm. Philip Norcross also serves on the board of Cooper Health and is the registered agent of the groups that own buildings in Camden that are the subject of the criminal allegations.

     William M. Tambussi, 66, of Brigantine, New Jersey, is an attorney and partner of the law firm of Brown and Cannery. He is the long-time personal attorney to George Norcross from 1989 to present he also served as counsel to the Camden County Democratic Committee, which George Norcross chaired from 1989 to 1995. Tambussi also served as outside counsel to the City of Camden, the Camden Redevelopment Agency, Cooper Health, and Conner Strong.

     Dana L. Redd, 56, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, is currently CEO of Camden Community Partnership, which was formerly Cooper’s Ferry Partnership. She previously served as a member of the Camden City Council, and she is alleged to have abused that position to benefit herself and the Norcross Enterprise.

     Sidney R. Brown, 67, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the CEO of NFL Trucking and Logistics company. He also serves as a member of the board of Cooper Health and is a partner in the groups that own several of the Camden buildings at the center of the allegations.

     John J. O’Donnell, 61, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, has been in the executive leadership of the Michaels Organization, a residential development company, in a variety of roles including COO, President, and CEO. He is also a partner in the groups that own several of the Camden buildings at the center of the allegations. He has also served on the Board of Cooper’s Ferry Partnership at various times since 2008.

     The defendants are also charged with various counts of Financial Facilitation, Misconduct by a Corporate Official, and Official Misconduct and Conspiring to Commit Theft by Extortion and criminal Coercion.

     Monday’s indictment may finally bring an end to New Jersey’s notoriously boss-driven political machine, giving way to a younger generation of New Jersey Democrats to seek elected political office.