NJ Dem Power Broker Charged With Racketeering

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin charged Democratic power broker George Norcross and five others with 13 counts including racketeering on Monday. 

Who is George Norcross? George E. Norcross III has been “a powerful executive and political figure in New Jersey for decades,” according to The Gothamist (Center bias). Politico (Lean Left bias) labeled him “one of the most formidable and fearsome operators in state history” who, “at his peak, wielded power rivaling governors.” The Washington Post (Lean Left bias) called him “a longtime kingmaker,” and the New York Post (Lean Right bias) described him as “a former Democratic National Committee member and head of the Camden County Democratic Party.” He is a previous co-owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Lean Left bias).

The Details: The 111-paged indictment alleges that Norcross and his inner circle engaged in a criminal enterprise since 2012 to obtain lucrative property rights and millions of dollars in tax credits. This allegedly involved extortion, coercion, and conspiring to “tailor New Jersey economic development legislation.” 

For Context: Norcross is not the only New Jersey Democrat facing corruption charges; Sen. Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) bribery trial resumed on Tuesday. 

How the Media Covered It: Coverage was common and generally similar across the spectrum, often using sensational language to highlight the impact of the indictment on New Jersey politics; Politico quoted one insider who called it an “atomic bomb.” Continuing past trends, some right-rated outlets stood out by applying the adjective “Democrat” to Norcross, while other left and center-rated sources used the adjective “Democratic.”