Latest news with #GeorgeNorcross
Politico
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Remember the SJTA case?
Good Thursday morning! You might have forgotten it, but just days before George Norcross was indicted, Attorney General Matt Platkin announced charges against two South Jersey Transportation Authority members who allegedly held up contracts for an engineering firm because one of its executives refused to go along with a request from Democratic power broker George Norcross. That was June 13, 2024. And it was a pretty compelling story. Norcross during a meeting had asked Mercer County Commissioner John Cimino, an executive at T&M Associates, to stay neutral in the Democratic primary for Mercer County executive. Cimino didn't, and shortly after the defendants — commissioner Christopher Milam and former Commissioner Bryan Bush — allegedly began holding up the authority's payments to his firm. What's happened since the charges? Virtually nothing, at least publicly. A grand jury has not issued an indictment against the defendants, Milam and Bush. And no indictment means there's been no arraignment and no plea. Online court records show a case review conference scheduled for Aug. 20 before Judge Peter Warshaw, the same judge who dismissed the case against Norcross and his five co-defendants. We can only speculate as to the cause of the delay, or try reading between the lines. Sharon Lauchaire, a spokesperson for the attorney general, noted that the complaint was filed just a few months after the defendants' alleged crimes. 'Cases involving white-collar offenses take varied amounts of time based on the complexity of the matter, discussions among the parties, motions filed by both parties, the schedules of the court, defendants, witnesses, and defense counsel,' she said. 'In some instances, both parties in a case have an interest in substantial discussions before an indictment is returned or a case proceeds.' Milam told me that he faults the Attorney General's office for being so slow with the case, but that he'd like to resolve it and get on with his life. 'It's been a year of my life that's been kind of in limbo,' he said, adding that he can't currently coach his son's sports teams because of the mark on his background check. Had it not been for the much higher-profile Norcross indictment and its failure (Platkin is appealing), this case would probably be seen as a bigger deal. R.I.P. KABIR MOSS — Kabir Moss, recently the spokesperson for Ras Baraka's gubernatorial campaign, who also worked for former Senate President Steve Sweneey and former Senate Majority Loretta Weinberg, died Wednesday, David Wildstein reports. He was just 37. The cause of death hasn't been publicized. I can't say I knew Moss extremely well, but when I talked to him I knew I was dealing with a kind soul, even when I wrote something I knew his employers didn't like. He's one of the people whose name I was happy to see pop up on my phone. And based on the response to his unexpected death, I'm not alone. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — In Newark at 8:30 a.m. to address this summit, Paterson at 9:45 a.m. for a sports-related announcement, and Carlstadt at 11 a.m. for a Meadowlands Conservation Trust dedication ceremony. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Moving the election of our governor and Legislature would not be easy. … It would take real leadership and a long-term view, something often more evident in Republicans. It would also certainly have some fierce opponents in the political industry, an industry I am also a part of since the continuous election cycle keeps us indefinitely employed. But I believe the more people show up to vote, the better off we are as a society and as a party, and I am tired of the Democrats across the country being steamrolled by Republicans who play politics on the ground while Democrats hold on to ideals, tradition and ceremony.' — Kabir Moss advocating for moving New Jersey's state-level elections from odd to even years in a 2021 op-ed, three years before Ras Baraka made it a campaign plank. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — John Appezzato, Synnove Bakke, David Bander, Lori Ciesla, Heather Haddon, Margaret Morgan WHAT TRENTON MADE DEEP SHBP — Local government health insurance rates could go up 37 percent, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The local government portion of the state-run government worker health insurance program is facing a proposed 37 percent rate increase for the upcoming plan year. The rates were unveiled during a Tuesday meeting of the State Health Benefits Commission, which sets rates and approves contracts for the government worker health plans. The commission did not vote on the rates, which would be felt by local governments and their employees on the health plan. The rates are expected to be addressed at an upcoming meeting. The Treasury, which oversees health benefits for government workers, had been warning of large rate increases for months. The local government portion of the SHBP has been described as being in a death spiral, with state officials and lawmakers previously floating the possibility of shutting down the program for local governments. The proposed rate increases come as the government worker health plans are under scrutiny from policymakers and face questions around their long-term solvency — and during a key election year when the entire state Assembly and governor's office are on the ballot. In a statement to POLITICO, a spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin underscored a bill, A. 5903, that would overhaul the commission and the health plans provided to government workers — saying that Assembly Democrats would implement a 'solution' before the impending rate hikes take effect. 'The rate increases for public worker health benefits announced today are unacceptable,' spokesperson Nick Wroblewski said. 'It is clear that the system is broken. The Assembly has introduced legislation to address the issue that creates more transparency in pricing, saves money for public workers and taxpayers and respects collective bargaining.' A spokesperson for Gov. Phil Murphy also suggested the governor may weigh in on the matter, although it is less clear what he plans to do. NJSP — 'State police unions sue New Jersey attorney general to block racial profiling probe,' by New Jersey Monitor's Dana DiFilippo: 'Three unions that represent New Jersey State Police have sued New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin in a bid to block his investigation into whether troopers deliberately slowed down traffic enforcement in response to claims of racial profiling in stops. Union officials want a state judge to toss five subpoenas Platkin's office issued in April demanding documents and ordering them to appear before a state grand jury probing the alleged slowdown. They also want the judge to bar the outside attorneys Platkin appointed from investigating further. In three lawsuits filed late last month, union leaders refute claims of racial profiling, insist the 3,000-member agency is already subject to robust oversight, and accuse Platkin of unconstitutional, retaliatory interference with their rights to advocate for union members. ... The first complaint was filed June 19 — the same day several state legislators introduced a bill that would remove the state police from Platkin's control.' THE SUBPARNO STATE — New Jerseyans aren't happy with how the state is grappling with affordability, by POLITICO's Madison Fernandez: Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli have a monumental task ahead of them as they campaign for governor: trying to appeal to an electorate that is in a 'state of malaise' when it comes to how Trenton is handling issues like affordability and the economy. A poll from the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University released Thursday found that 'there isn't a single issue where a significant majority is satisfied, even those that have historically proven to be feathers in the state government's cap,' according to Ashley Koning, director of the polling program. FUSION VOTING: THE NUCLEAR OPTION — 'Americans desperately need more political choice. NJ could lead the way,' by Christine Todd Whitman and Jon Corzine for Gannett: 'American democracy is at risk of succumbing to authoritarianism. We see it in false claims about our elections, the willful disregard of the rule of law by the executive branch and the use of federal power to punish opponents and silence dissent. How did we get here? … [A]bove all, a widespread sense that democratic governance itself can no longer solve important problems. As two former governors, this last point holds special importance. We want government to be effective and to be seen as such. When it is seen as failing, the lure of the strongman grows. Governance is failing because politics is failing, and politics is failing because our two major parties are no longer the 'big tents' they once were. … There's a remarkable court case underway in New Jersey that could help us break out of the two-party 'doom loop.' … These cases are about reviving 'fusion' voting, also sometimes referred to as cross-nomination. It's a very simple system that gives voters more choices and stronger voices.' IF ONLY HIS MIDDLE NAME STARTED WITH AN 'O' — 'Glenn Paulsen elected GOP state chairman,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'The New Jersey Republican State Committee tonight voted unanimously to elect Glenn Paulsen as the new GOP state chairman, ratifying a pick made by gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli. He succeeds Bob Hugin, who was tapped by Ciattarelli four years ago. The 76-year-old South Jersey lawyer was one of the state's most influential political leaders during the fifteen years when he ran the Burlington County Republican organization – then the majority party in the county – and returns to a party post solely to help Ciattarelli's bid for governor against Democrat Mikie Sherrill.' GURAL, YOU'LL BE A HORSEMAN SOON — 'Meadowlands, Monmouth racetracks get $3.5M each from NJ to offset tax hike,' by The Record's Daniel Munoz: 'New Jersey's two racetracks are each getting $3.5 million in the state's record-high budget to offset cost increases from a tax hike Gov. Phil Murphy previously sought on revenue from sports betting. … But the tax threatened to eat into the bottom lines for the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford and Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, said Jeffrey Gural, owner of the Meadowlands Racetrack. That's because of the partnerships that the two racetracks have — with FanDuel for the Meadowlands Racetrack and with Caesars for Monmouth Park — which means the tax would eat into the racetrack's revenue, according to Gural. But the two remaining racetracks generated $6.3 million in tax revenue for the state this past May, versus $5.5 million in May 2024. The $3.5 million 'basically keeps us afloat for another year,' Gural said in a July 8 phone interview.' LD40 — 'Physician accuses North Jersey Assembly candidate of domestic abuse,' by New Jersey Globe's Zach Blackburn: 'A New Jersey physician has alleged that Ron Arnau, a Democratic nominee for a state Assembly district in North Jersey, physically and emotionally abused him throughout a tumultuous, nearly two-year relationship from 2014 to 2016. Arnau, a former Woodland Park councilman, denies the allegations. In interviews with the New Jersey Globe, Cristian Serna-Tamayo said the toxic relationship culminated on the night of July 4, 2016, when he alleges Arnau held him at knifepoint for about three hours. Statements he made at the time, including a restraining order Serna-Tamayo received against Arnau, corroborate the claims. 'He held me against my will at knifepoint for three hours,' Serna-Tamayo wrote in a sworn witness statement after the incident. 'I thought he was going to kill me and himself.'Arnau, one of two Democratic nominees for Assembly in the state's 40th legislative district, was never criminally charged in the matter and is now married to a different man. He denied the allegations to the New Jersey Globe and said he believes documents and other evidence absolve him of wrongdoing, but is unsure whether he's legally allowed to release the evidence. Arnau said he proved his innocence in court; family court records in New Jersey are generally sealed, so the public cannot access those dockets.' FLASHBACK — '[Arnau] sues spa for giving him an X-rated massage' — 'Marathon school segregation case goes to appeals cour' —'NJ Transit faces $10 million lawsuit from longtime Black female electrician' —'This domestic violence tool can save lives. Why doesn't N.J. require it?' —'Workers racing to build the Hudson River rail tunnels face sweltering summer heat' BIDEN TIME GOOD THING WE HAVE OFF-YEAR ELECTIONS TO FOCUS ON STATE ISSUES — Donald Trump is literally the x-factor in New Jersey's race for governor, by POLITICO's Madison Fernandez: The New Jersey governor's race is technically a choice between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli. But you'd be forgiven for thinking Donald Trump's name is also on the ballot. 'If this campaign were a drinking game and you took a shot every time Mikie Sherrill says Trump, you'd be drunk off your ass every day between now and Nov. 4,' Ciattarelli warned during his primary night victory speech. Well, grab a breathalyzer. A POLITICO analysis of posts from Sherrill's and Ciattarelli's campaign accounts on the social platform X shows that — in just the first six months of the year — the candidates have mentioned Trump more than any nominees in the last two gubernatorial campaigns combined. And even though Ciattarelli blasted Sherrill's focus on Trump, he's also had the president on his mind far more than in the past. … The emphasis on Trump demonstrates how both parties view New Jersey's election — one of only two gubernatorial races nationally this year — as a temperature check of the electorate ahead of the midterms. —'Around 15 people detained in ICE raid at Edison warehouse, workers say' —'Latest Trump funding move puts several NJ school programs in jeopardy' —'Cuts to SNAP may hit NJ beneficiaries hard' LOCAL FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME — 'Atlantic City principal's attorney claims audio file proves case against her is 'one-of-one',' by The Press of Atlantic City's John O'Connor: 'An Atlantic County Superior Court judge has refused to dismiss the indictment against the suspended Atlantic City High School principal accused of failing to report the alleged abuse of the mayor and superintendent's daughter, according to court documents. Constance Days-Chapman is charged with official misconduct, pattern of official misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child and hindering apprehension. Lee Vartan, Days-Chapman's attorney, argued before Judge Bernard DeLury last month that his client was the first educator in state history to be charged for failing to report abuse and that she is being used to convict Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, Superintendent La'Quetta Small. … Vartan claimed phone records show Days-Chapman informed a higher-up at DCP&P of the alleged abuse Jan. 23 via a 31-minute phone call and spoke to that same individual three more times in the days that followed. The state has argued that Days-Chapman still didn't follow state law, which requires the individual to call 877-NJ-ABUSE.' BLACKLISTED — 'Parent gets banned from Paterson school property, now running for Paterson BOE,' by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: 'Community activist Cameo Black is one of those people who doesn't worry about offending folks when she speaks. 'Nobody not gonna tell me what I can say and what I can't say,' Black declared during a Board of Education meeting on May 7 when she complained about her son's alleged mistreatment in school. In a tirade of 3 minutes, 10 seconds, Black went on to tell the schools superintendent 'she always gonna look crazy,' warned an assistant superintendent 'I'm coming for you,' and accused the board's vice president of being disrespectful by 'bobbing your head like a woman at me.' … A week after the meeting, Paterson Schools Superintendent Laurie Newell sent Black a letter telling her she would be banned from attending board meetings and entering school district grounds for the next 90 days. … Black delivered her response to Newell's letter on July 8, when she went to the Passaic County Administration Building to drop off 100 signed nominating petitions for her candidacy in Paterson's upcoming Board of Education election.' PEMBERTEMERITY — 'Mayor cancels beloved N.J. festival again — and now everyone wants him gone,' by NJ Advance Media's Nyah Marshall: 'A Burlington County mayor is once again facing calls to resign after residents accused him of canceling a beloved, decades-old town festival to punish the community. Jack Tompkins, who was elected the mayor of Pemberton in 2023, has faced a tenure riddled with controversy and lawsuits. … Residents packed the council meeting, also demanding his removal, after what many saw as his latest act of retaliation — canceling the township's annual Water Carnival. The beloved annual tradition was scheduled for next Saturday. … On July 1, the mayor posted a notice on the township's Facebook page announcing the event had been canceled due to a ''lack of community participation' and 'staffing shortages.' 'This decision was not made by any one individual but was the result of collaboration among all the involved departments,' the mayor wrote. However, residents and council members allege Tompkins canceled yet another community event out of spite, without any input from other town officials. … There are eight lawsuits pending against Tompkins, according to [Council President Matthew] Bianchini.' —'Cape May County bridge plans called biggest in history at $350M' — 'Homeless may be jailed and fined if they keep living in [Toms river] parking garage' —'Jersey City's credit rating falls as finances deteriorate' —'Judge's ruling allows Palisades Park to go after former administrator's payments' —'[Highlands] has spent 'hundreds of thousands' dealing with a problem the feds won't fix' EVERYTHING ELSE AT THIS POINT, IT KNOWS IT CAN — 'Locomotive 4207, on the rails for 60 years and still hauling commuters,' by Michael Harmon for The New York Times: 'When New Jersey Transit's locomotive 4207 rolled off the assembly line, the Beatles were still touring, Johnny Carson was just three years into hosting 'The Tonight Show' and America had yet to see its first Super Bowl or eat its first Dorito. Sixty years later, 4207 is still hauling New Jersey commuters where they need to go — making it not just the oldest locomotive on NJ Transit's roster but the oldest in regular passenger service in the entire country. It may be an anomaly in American railroading, but not at NJ Transit. The commuter rail agency, the nation's third busiest, operates more than 20 similar GP40 diesel engines — also called 'Geeps' — the oldest of which were originally built as freight locomotives for the New York Central Railroad in 1965. The trains are almost two decades older than NJ Transit itself, yet there is no retirement party on the horizon.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge erred by tossing charges against Dem power broker, prosecutors say
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office wants the state's appellate division to reinstate the charges it filed in June against Democratic power broker George Norcross and his allies. (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor) New Jersey prosecutors are asking an appeals court to overturn the dismissal of charges against George Norcross and his allies, arguing a Superior Court judge had effectively invented a new legal standard dissonant with existing law to toss charges against the Democratic power broker. Judge Peter Warshaw in February dismissed the charges against Norcross and his co-defendants, finding the indictment against them did not state facts constituting extortion or criminal coercion and failed to prove racketeering and other charges lodged against the alleged criminal enterprise. But prosecutors say in a new filing that Warshaw subjected the indictment to greater scrutiny than the law allows, made determinations that should be left to a jury, and dismissed the case under a standard not used in criminal law. 'Instead, the trial court simply asked whether there was sufficient evidence cited in the Indictment itself, without reviewing the reams of testimony and exhibits the grand jury saw,' prosecutors wrote. News of the filing was first reported by New Jersey Globe. The state in June accused Norcross and others of leveraging threats and their control of Camden government to strongarm a developer into ceding property rights and of coercing the CEO of a Camden nonprofit to use a favored but less advantageous developer before pushing him to resign to make room for a patronage hire. The charges, lodged against a man widely considered the most powerful unelected New Jerseyan, stunned the state's political class but did little to diminish the influence of the power broker. Attorneys for Norcross and others have claimed the prosecution is meant to burnish Attorney General Matt Platkin's image for a future run for political office, criticism they renewed after the case was dismissed. Prosecutors' new filing argues Warshaw made numerous errors in dismissing the case, including by improperly engaging in fact-finding, ruling on limited evidence, creating a new standard to review motions to dismiss on the sufficiency of evidence, and failing to properly apply that standard, among other things. Motions to dismiss filed at such an early stage of a case are limited in their scope and can be based on procedural infirmities like a failure to provide notice, prosecutorial misconduct, or on claims that the law underlying criminal charges is unconstitutional, prosecutors argued. They said dismissals based on the sufficiency of evidence would require the inclusion of evidence outside the four corners of an indictment and could only be granted if the facts contained in the indictment disproved the possibility of a crime, not whether they alone could prove the crime occurred. 'Nothing about the indictment introduces a 'fatal flaw' that more evidence — particularly the evidence that already went to the grand jury — 'necessarily' could not cure,' prosecutors said in their appeal. Warshaw made the ruling without reviewing evidence provided to the grand jury that approved the charges. In their appeal, prosecutors said that evidence included more than 2,000 pages of testimony transcripts, over 6,000 wiretap recordings, and no less than 700 other audio files. An attorney for George Norcross — who was charged alongside former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, NFI CEO Sidney Brown, Michaels Organization CEO John O'Donnell, and attorneys Philip Norcross (George Norcross's brother) and Bill Tambussi — derided the appeal as a continuation of a prosecution the defendants have argued is politically motivated. 'The new filing is another failed legal argument by the Attorney General — the only difference is that this redux version is longer than the original. The fatal legal flaws remain. As has become obvious to everyone, Mr. Platkin's obsession has been a political prosecution from its inception. We look forward to again rebutting his fatuous claims on the merits,' said Michael Critchley, an attorney for George Norcross. Prosecutors argued that Warshaw erred by subjecting the prosecution's 111-page indictment to a greater level of scrutiny than would be placed on a shorter document, noting courts have routinely rejected efforts to hold lengthier, detail-laden indictments to a stricter standard. Even if the judge's legal test was sound, prosecutors said, the dismissal must be overturned because he did not accept as true the indictment's factual allegations or view them in the light most favorable to the state. They pointed to his ruling that alleged threats made by Norcross and others against Philadelphia-based developer Carl Dranoff were 'hard bargaining' and 'sabre-rattling.' 'If a court has questions about what a threat means, or how a victim interprets it, the proper forum is trial testimony, or, at the least, a review of the actual evidence presented to the grand jury,' the appeal says. The judge's determination on the criminality of the alleged threats overstepped into improper fact-finding that ought to be left to a jury, as did his determinations about the intent of some co-defendants, all without a review of the evidence, prosecutors said. Even if the judge's finding that the alleged threats amounted to only hard bargaining were valid, prosecutors said, the indictment's extortion and coercion charges should not have been dismissed because the indictment alleges Norcross and his allies controlled Camden government and used governmental power to pressure Dranoff into concessions. 'While defendants may incorrectly believe that wielding the threat of reputational and governmental harm to extract property or submission from others is permissible activity that 'occurs every day in politics and business' … New Jersey law, like the Hobbs Act, makes clear it is unlawful,' the appeal said. norcross dismissal appeal SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Racketeering charges tossed against New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross
A New Jersey judge on Wednesday dismissed the racketeering indictment against Democratic power broker George Norcross, who had been charged with strong-arming political and business leaders to obtain the rights to properties and development on the Camden waterfront. Judge Peter Warshaw decided "the indictment must be dismissed because its factual allegations do not constitute extortion or criminal coercion as a matter of law." The judge also concluded there was "no racketeering enterprise" as alleged. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who brought the charges, said the state would immediately appeal. MORE: New Jersey political boss charged "After years in which the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently cut back on federal public corruption law, and at a time in which the federal government is refusing to tackle corruption, it has never been more important for state officials to take corruption head on. But I have never promised that these cases would be easy, because too many have come to view corruption as simply the way the powerful do business in New Jersey," Platkin said. Norcross, one of New Jersey's most powerful political figures, had been charged with using his influence to gain access to state-issued tax credits and bullying rivals so he could obtain property rights for a Camden, New Jersey, waterfront development project. Lawyers for Norcross and his co-defendants, including his brother, his attorney and former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, had pleaded not guilty and sought the dismissal granted Wednesday, arguing exercising political influence is no crime. The indictment quoted Norcross allegedly threatening a developer. "George Norcross, in the presence of Philip Norcross, told Developer-1, Iif you f--- this up, I'll f--- you up like you've never been f----- up before. I'll make sure you never do business in this town again,'" the indictment stated. MORE: Trump signs executive action targeting law firm representing former special counsel Jack Smith The indictment also quoted Norcross allegedly recounting the conversation with the developer to a friend. "I had to get on the phone last night with [Developer-1] for an hour and a half. He tried to f------ shake us down. As usual. ... And I told him, 'no' I said '[Developer-1], this is unacceptable. If you do this, it will have enormous consequences.' He said, 'Are you threatening me?' I said 'absolutely.'" The judge decided the threats did not amount to a crime. "Defendants correctly argue that when considering private parties negotiating economic deals in a free market system, threats are sometimes neither wrongful or unlawful," Warshaw wrote. "In these situations, there may be nothing inherently wrong in using economic fear to obtain property. In this context, what does it mean to be told he would be 'f---[ed] up like [he] [has] never been f----- up before' and that he will 'never do business in this town again?' Does it mean anything at all? This sabre-rattling sounds much like 'this town ain't big enough for the two of us.'" Racketeering charges tossed against New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross originally appeared on
Washington Post
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Judge dismisses racketeering indictment against New Jersey Democratic power broker, co-defendants
TRENTON, N.J. — A state judge on Wednesday agreed to toss out racketeering charges against New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross and those charged alongside him. Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw granted Norcross' and other defendants' motion to dismiss a state grand jury's indictment on racketeering charges brough by Attorney General Matt Platkin.
CBS News
26-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
George Norcross' racketeering indictment dismissed as New Jersey's top prosecutor vows to appeal
Democratic power broker George Norcross has been granted a motion to dismiss the New Jersey Attorney General's indictment against him and all other defendants on racketeering charges after a judge's ruling Wednesday. Norcross, the chairman of the board of trustees at Cooper Health and the executive chairman of insurance firm Conner, Strong and Buckelew, was accused of controlling property deals along the Camden waterfront to collect millions of dollars in tax credits. The former Camden Mayor Dana Redd was also charged in the indictment, as was Norcross' brother Philip. The others charged include William Tambussi, George Norcross' longtime personal attorney, former Cooper Health trustee Sidney R. Brown, and developer John J. O'Donnell. Brown and O'Donnell were partners in the groups owning various Camden buildings including the Ferry Terminal Building and the Triad1828 Centre. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said his office will be "appealing immediately." Here's his full statement: "We disagree strongly with the trial court's decision, and we are appealing immediately. After years in which the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently cut back on federal public corruption law, and at a time in which the federal government is refusing to tackle corruption, it has never been more important for state officials to take corruption head on. But I have never promised that these cases would be easy, because too many have come to view corruption as simply the way the powerful do business in New Jersey. That corruption has consequences: it breeds a loss of trust in government and in our public servants, at a time when we must work to protect and restore faith in our institutions. Today is a reminder of how much work remains, and how difficult it will be to clean up government in our state. But along with the career law enforcement officers and prosecutors who have worked on this case for years, I won't back down from that fight." This is a developing story and will be updated.
