New Jersey’s Attorney General will not appeal a judge’s decision dismissing criminal charges against Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III and others, marking an end to one of the most closely watched public corruption cases in state history.
“Our office has decided not to seek review from the New Jersey Supreme Court in State v. Norcross,” the attorney general’s office said. “In light of the Appellate Division’s decision, we have concluded that our prosecutorial resources would be best spent on other matters.”
A state appellate court panel last month upheld the dismissal of a sweeping – some claimed far-reaching – indictment of Norcross on racketeering charges. The three-judge panel unanimously affirmed a February 2025 ruling by Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw dismissing the entire indictment against Norcross and all co-defendants. The attorney general’s office had 20 days to file a notice of appeal with the New Jersey Supreme Court after the January 30 decision.
Then-Attorney General Matt Platkin alleged that Norcross strongarmed a Philadelphia real estate developer, Carl Dranoff, into selling them development rights, including a view easement, so they could obtain – and later sell, millions of dollars in tax incentives from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
The decision also applies to Norcross’s co-defendants — his brother, lawyer Philip Norcross, his longtime attorney, Bill Tambussi, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, former Michaels Organization CEO John O’Donnell, and NFI CEO Sidney Brown.
“Our office remains committed to prioritizing public corruption prosecutions in this time of deepening mistrust in government. Wrongdoing by public officials undermines faith in our institutions, and the public rightfully demands and deserves that officials perform their duties with integrity and in accordance with the law,” the attorney general’s office statement said. “We will never shy away from holding public officials accountable when they betray the public’s trust and behave unlawfully.”
Still, the decision is a black mark for the embattled state Office of Public Integrity and Accountability at a time when the new attorney general, Jennifer Davenport, is evaluating their future and its leadership.
The OPIA developed the case against Norcross that led to a 112-page, 13-count racketeering indictment in June 2024.
Dan Fee, a spokesman for Norcross, took aim at Platkin.
“We always knew that Matt Platkin brought this case for reasons other than its legal merits — and now multiple judges and Platkin’s successor as AG agree the allegations simply weren’t true. The question now is whether Platkin’s supporters who cheered him on will take a serious look at what he did and whether other authorities will do the same,” said Fee. “We will certainly be making the case that he and anyone else who used lawfare against George should be held to account, no differently than Pam Bondi and her DOJ should.”
Norcross has threatened to file a $100 million lawsuit against the state for malicious prosecution.
His attorney, Michael Critchley, also went after the former attorney general.
“Mr. Platkin will now have to answer for his prosecutorial overeach to achieve a purely personal political agenda,” Critchley told the New Jersey Globe. “It failed. His agenda failed. ”
Platkin defended the work of his office in charging Norcross.
“This case was presented to a grand jury by career prosecutors over several months,” he said. “Out of respect for the men and women who do brave work holding corruption to account, I won’t comment further — other than to say I remain proud to have supported their efforts at a time when trust in government is at an all time low and I will never apologize for believing that everyone should be held to the same standards, no matter how powerful they may be.”
There are now allegations that the OPIA might have knowingly and improperly used federal wiretaps that went well beyond the scope of a judge’s approval to gain an indictment against Norcross.
This story was updated at 11:38 AM with comment from Fee and Critchley, and at 12:15 PM with comment from Platkin.