Gov. Phil Murphy, left, speaks to Cooper University Health Care chair George Norcross on Jan. 28, 2025, at a groundbreaking ceremony for a hospital expansion project in Camden. (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor)
CAMDEN — Former Gov. Chris Christie, an ex-prosecutor who frequently boasts about his perfect trial court record as a U.S attorney, trashed the racketeering, extortion and other criminal charges the state filed against Democratic party boss George Norcross in an appearance here Tuesday.
“The state’s indictment is a piece of garbage,” said Christie, speaking to reporters after a ceremonial groundbreaking for a $3 billion expansion project at Cooper University Hospital. “I was 113-0 as U.S. attorney — I never would have brought this case.”
A spokesman for Attorney General Matt Platkin’s office, whose office is prosecuting Norcross, dismissed Christie’s comments as an effort by Norcross allies to intimidate prosecutors and taint prospective jurors.
“As we have said previously, the State’s indictment speaks for itself and our prosecution of the Norcross Enterprise will occur in the court,” spokesman Michael Symons said.
Christie joined Gov. Phil Murphy and three other former New Jersey governors in Camden Tuesday to mark Cooper’s expansion and salute Norcross, the controversial figure who has been the driving force behind the hospital and the rebirth of a city considered among the poorest and most dangerous in America.
Norcross, an insurance broker and outspoken fan of “The Godfather,” also stands out for playing hardball politics while collecting a steady stream of public contracts and subsidies for his companies and business partners.
In June, Platkin brought a sweeping racketeering indictment against Norcross, his brother, and others for allegedly operating a “criminal enterprise” to gain control of the Camden waterfront. The Norcross group, Plakin alleges, used pressure tactics and political muscle to win millions in state tax breaks.
The case against Norcross is seen as one of the most daring white-collar prosecutions in recent state history. Friends and allies of Norcross across the state have mounted a substantial public relations campaign in defense of the party boss, arguing that Platkin has criminalized old-fashioned political horse-trading.
On Tuesday, hundreds of Norcross allies were on hand at Cooper to celebrate the party leader in an event that at times seemed more like a political rally or tent revival than a construction kickoff.
Former Gov. James McGreevey, a Democrat who resigned amid a sex scandal and later earned a divinity degree, verged on tears describing Norcross’ health care work in Camden. Quoting St. Francis, McGreevey talked about sacrificing yourself for your fellow man.
“What really counts is what we do for the least of our brethren,” said McGreevey, who is seeking to win election as Jersey City’s mayor this fall. “Because of George, lives have been saved. Today is a great day.”
Jon Corzine, who as governor expanded state subsidies to Camden and backed new laws that helped pave the way for the city’s comeback, spoke of the Norcross “magic” in making things happen.
“The Norcross family sets the standard for giving back to the community,” said Corzine, who spent 17 days at Cooper — some of them in a coma — after being injured in a 2007 car crash while he was governor.
In 2019, Murphy, a Democrat, waged political war with Norcross, creating a special investigative panel that probed tax breaks awarded to the party leader and his Camden business partners. Murphy also tapped Platkin as his attorney general in a move seen as a sign he would shake up New Jersey’s entrenched party boss system.
On Tuesday, Murphy, who pledged $170 million in state grants toward the Camden expansion, praised Norcross effusively in front of scores of assembled dignitaries, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer, state Sen. Paul Sarlo, ex-Senate President Steve Sweeney, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, lobbyists, and state labor leaders. Only Norcross “could pull this group together,” Murphy said.
“A bunch of us are going to get together after lunch and talk about economic development in Camden,” Murphy said, beaming at Norcross. “Camden is a city on the rise.”
When it was Christie’s turn to speak, he credited Norcross-led reforms with reducing the Camden homicide rate by 75% in a decade. A noted Dallas Cowboys backer, he drew cackles from the crowd joking about “friggin’ Eagles fans.” But he grew serious talking about his bipartisan “partnership” with Norcross, and he urged lawmakers to follow suit.
“Leadership matters, trust matters, friendship matters, relationships matter,” Christie said.
In both his unsuccessful bids for the GOP presidential nomination, Christie cited his work with Norcross as a political asset and evidence he would work across the aisle in the White House. Under the tax break program Christie created, Norcross and his business partners received hundreds of millions in awards, state records show.
Norcross, sockless and wearing a dark blue suit with tasseled loafers, sat between Murphy and Christie, basking in the attention. Born and raised in Camden, Norcross built a major national insurance brokerage from a basement office. Now a Florida resident and member of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, he is seen as one of the most powerful political figures in New Jersey and the Democratic Party at large.
“Each of these governors played a significant role in Cooper’s success,” he said, addressing the five seated at his side.
Norcross joked with his guests, poking fun at Assemblyman Lou Greenwald’s natty pinstripe suits and calling Sarlo, chair of the Senate’s budget committee, “sometimes the most important person in New Jersey.”
He reserved his highest praise for Murphy, calling him a true partner.
“He made certain South Jersey received its fair share,” Norcross said.
Despite the parade of speakers and barrage of political jokes and asides about current events in Trenton and Washington, D.C., guests at the Norcross party avoided any reference to the indictment. Some of his co-defendants were there, including former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, who received standing ovations from the hundreds of doctors, nurses, and politicians on hand.
Dan Fee, a Norcross spokesman, shook his head when asked if Norcross felt personally vindicated by the show of political power gathered to salute him.
“George has made Cooper’s success and the revitalization of Camden his life’s work, and today’s event was a celebration of all that has been accomplished and the bright future they both have because of their partnership,” Fee said.
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