New Jersey’s once mighty Democratic powerbroker George Norcross didn’t appear all that bothered by a sweeping racketeering indictment that officials announced against him on Monday.
Instead, cameras captured him sitting calmly and staring down prosecutors from the front row of a news conference meant to detail the criminal charges against him, his brother, and four of their associates—allegations that could send them each to prison for up to five years.
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin read off a lengthy statement about the 13-count indictment, but rarely looked up at Norcross or the crowd of reporters. The charges—and Norcross’ bizarre stunt—further burnished the Garden State’s reputation as a hotbed of corruption.
The indictment accused the group of using their influence over government entities to unlawfully obtain property rights on the waterfront in Camden, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. The group are also accused of collecting millions of dollars in government-issued tax credits.
Norcross’ brother Philip, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, and Norcross’ lawyer William Tambussi are among those facing charges.
Before Monday’s news conference began, cameras captured a spokesperson for Platkin’s office attempting to get Norcross to move from his front-row seat, which he refused to do.
When that same spokesperson took to the podium to launch the news conference, Norcross asked if he could ask questions of Platkin along with reporters—a request that was harshly shot down.
“The Attorney General will take a couple of quick questions after the remarks are concluded, but he’ll only be taking questions from reporters, as is normal with our press conferences,” she said. “Of course, whenever we have press conferences, we limit it to reporters. It’s a press conference. It’s for the reporters to ask questions.”
While that request was denied, Norcross remained in the seat closest to Platkin and stayed there for the entirety of the 30-minute news conference. The back of his head was visible from a live stream of the event, which showed him staring straight ahead as Platkin accused him of illegally profiting off New Jersey taxpayers for years.
When the time for questions came, Norcross appeared to play nice and kept his mouth shut—though Platkin only hung around an extra two minutes to field queries from reporters. As Platkin walked out of the room, the live stream captured Norcross turning his head in Platkin’s direction and smirking.
Norcross, an insurance executive, never held public office in New Jersey but was a key member of the state’s Democratic National Committee. He was credited with using his influence—and checkbook—to push through his pick of governors and lawmakers, and favorable legislation.
Norcross, 68, most recently grabbed headlines in November when he was booted from a suite at a Philadelphia Eagles home game for draping a half-Israeli, half-U.S. flag, over a ledge. Clips captured the moment he was confronted by security officers.
While he has had a heavy hand in New Jersey politics for decades, he suggested last summer he’d take a step back from politics after a series of legislative defeats.
Norcross’ announcement to exit politics coincided with reports that the New Jersey attorney general’s office was relaunching a probe into big-money tax breaks that were awarded to companies close to Norcross.
Norcross’ wife, Sandy Norcross, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast.
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