New Jersey attorney general will not appeal dismissal of Norcross indictment

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It’s over.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday said it will not appeal an appellate court’s decision to uphold the dismissal of the indictment against South Jersey power broker George E. Norcross III, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd and others.

Michael Symons, a spokesperson for the office, said it notified defense attorneys of its decision Tuesday morning.

“In light of the Appellate Division’s decision, we have concluded that our prosecutorial resources would be best spent on other matters,” he said.

Symons said the attorney general’s 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,” he added.

Norcross spokesman Daniel Fee said they knew former Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin brought the case “for reasons other than its legal merits” adding that Platkin’s predecessor, Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and “multiple judges” agree that “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,” he said. “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 reportedly sent litigation hold letters to more than two dozen people, including Platkin and  former WNYC reporter Nancy Solomon, as he plans a lawsuit that will claim reputational harm.

The collective, called the Norcross Enterprise by prosecutors, was accused of orchestrating a scheme to take control of properties along Camden’s waterfront and enrich themselves with millions of dollars in tax benefits.

The appellate division in January ruled that the charges against Norcross, his younger brother Philip Norcross, Redd, businessman Sidney R. Brown, attorney William M. Tambussi and developer John O’Donnell were ill-timed and that prosecutors did not describe a crime taking place.

Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw dismissed the indictment in February 2025.

Brown, the CEO and co-owner of NFI Industries, said the state “finally made the right decision.”

“I am, and always have been, innocent of these baseless charges,” he said. “Since its inception, this case was unfounded and attacked those of us who believed in the future of a thriving Camden.”