George Norcross Wields Influence with Governors in New Jersey Despite Indictment
Five governors joined the influential power broker for a significant groundbreaking ceremony.
TroibNews 
**CAMDEN, New Jersey** — On Tuesday, five governors from New Jersey gathered in South Jersey for a groundbreaking ceremony at a hospital where influential Democratic figure George Norcross serves as board chair. This event highlighted Norcross's significant influence, despite facing racketeering charges and a less prominent statewide image.
The ceremony marked the commencement of a $3 billion expansion for Cooper University Health Care, the only Level One Trauma Center in South Jersey. This project aims to add over 100 inpatient beds through three new "towers," contributing to the health system in a region that has long struggled economically. Currently, Cooper has 663 beds.
However, the political backdrop was equally important: Despite the legal troubles instigated by Attorney General Matt Platkin, Norcross still wields substantial influence.
Former Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who enacted the tax incentives central to the Norcross indictment and has been one of his strong supporters, remarked that he "would've never brought an indictment like this" when he was U.S. attorney.
"My view: This indictment is a piece of garbage," he expressed to the media after the event, adding, "Part of the reason for my appearance here today is not just my friendship with George, but is to make clear to people who care about justice being done the right way in this state that this thing is baseless.”
Norcross refrained from commenting when approached by reporters as he departed.
The event featured prominent figures in New Jersey politics, including former governors Jim McGreevey, Tom Kean Sr., and Jon Corzine, who sat alongside Norcross. Current Gov. Phil Murphy and Christie shared the stage with Norcross, while state and local officials, along with at least two members of Congress, were present.
“I think my fellow governors would agree with me — there's only one guy in this state that could pull this group together,” Murphy said of Norcross. While the two had a contentious relationship during Murphy's first term, particularly regarding tax incentives, they have since forged an alliance.
Camden, known for its history of poverty and challenges, has shown signs of recovery. Notably, Christie collaborated with Norcross to disband the city police department, replacing it with a county force, which is credited with enhancing law enforcement. The city has also seen a significant drop in its murder rate — once comparable to that of Honduras — reaching a 55-year low, according to city officials. For about an hour, governors spoke about Camden's resurgence, positioning Norcross at its heart.
“I know he hasn't lost any influence in building a better Camden and making [Cooper] one of the best medical centers in the United States — his leadership really has been extraordinary with regard to his efforts here,” Corzine stated.
Among those present were others implicated in Norcross' racketeering case: former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, attorney Bill Tambussi, and Norcross’s brother Phil.
Norcross faces accusations of leveraging his influence to benefit himself and his allies by pressuring local governments to transfer property rights from a rival developer to one he favors. Alongside this, Norcross and his associates have mounted a rigorous public relations campaign to challenge the indictment’s validity, provoking irritation from state prosecutors.
“As we have said previously, the State’s indictment speaks for itself and our prosecution of the Norcross Enterprise will occur in the court,” stated Michael Symons, a spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office, responding to Christie's remarks. “Attempts by the Defendants and others — apparently even including a former Governor and United States Attorney — to attack the work of career prosecutors in order to litigate this case in the press and taint the jury pool will not be ignored.”
Norcross’s critics drew a stark contrast between the celebratory nature of the hospital event and a recent court hearing where his legal team sought to dismiss the charges, which are currently under review by a state judge.
"The spectacle at Cooper hospital shows just how deep corruption runs in New Jersey politics. Watching five governors share the stage with George Norcross, less than a week after he was in court for racketeering, tells you everything you need to know about what's wrong with our state's political system," stated Antoinette Miles, director of the New Jersey Working Families Party. "This carefully planned event was more than an attempt to clean up Norcross's public image while he faces criminal charges."
The event also hinted at the state's competitive Democratic gubernatorial primary. Two candidates were present: Steve Sweeney, a long-term ally of Norcross and former state Senate President, as well as Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who represents a district in North Jersey.
“[Sweeney] probably doesn't want my support, help or even my acknowledgment,” Christie humorously remarked about his former legislative ally. “So let me just say this for every Democratic primary voter: I hate Steve Sweeney. Lousy SOB. Awful guy, we never agreed on a thing.”
The hospital expansion was initially announced in 2022, with Murphy and Christie also sharing the spotlight with Norcross at that time. The hospital described the expansion as the largest building investment in Camden County’s history, conducted in collaboration with the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, a key Norcross ally. The first phase is set to include a 10-story tower covering 35,000 square feet, projected for completion by 2028, with approximately $170 million sourced from previous state appropriations to Cooper.
Kean, now 89, remarked cheekily that “things will be even better” once the new towers are completed “if I'm alive to come here again in another five years.” He noted he no longer participates in many public events, but felt it was an easy choice when Norcross invited him.
“I don't think I’ve ever said no to George Norcross,” he said during his speech. “And I wouldn't. Because if there's one human being at the center of the revival of Camden and Camden County and this whole area, it's George Norcross.”
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
The ceremony marked the commencement of a $3 billion expansion for Cooper University Health Care, the only Level One Trauma Center in South Jersey. This project aims to add over 100 inpatient beds through three new "towers," contributing to the health system in a region that has long struggled economically. Currently, Cooper has 663 beds.
However, the political backdrop was equally important: Despite the legal troubles instigated by Attorney General Matt Platkin, Norcross still wields substantial influence.
Former Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who enacted the tax incentives central to the Norcross indictment and has been one of his strong supporters, remarked that he "would've never brought an indictment like this" when he was U.S. attorney.
"My view: This indictment is a piece of garbage," he expressed to the media after the event, adding, "Part of the reason for my appearance here today is not just my friendship with George, but is to make clear to people who care about justice being done the right way in this state that this thing is baseless.”
Norcross refrained from commenting when approached by reporters as he departed.
The event featured prominent figures in New Jersey politics, including former governors Jim McGreevey, Tom Kean Sr., and Jon Corzine, who sat alongside Norcross. Current Gov. Phil Murphy and Christie shared the stage with Norcross, while state and local officials, along with at least two members of Congress, were present.
“I think my fellow governors would agree with me — there's only one guy in this state that could pull this group together,” Murphy said of Norcross. While the two had a contentious relationship during Murphy's first term, particularly regarding tax incentives, they have since forged an alliance.
Camden, known for its history of poverty and challenges, has shown signs of recovery. Notably, Christie collaborated with Norcross to disband the city police department, replacing it with a county force, which is credited with enhancing law enforcement. The city has also seen a significant drop in its murder rate — once comparable to that of Honduras — reaching a 55-year low, according to city officials. For about an hour, governors spoke about Camden's resurgence, positioning Norcross at its heart.
“I know he hasn't lost any influence in building a better Camden and making [Cooper] one of the best medical centers in the United States — his leadership really has been extraordinary with regard to his efforts here,” Corzine stated.
Among those present were others implicated in Norcross' racketeering case: former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, attorney Bill Tambussi, and Norcross’s brother Phil.
Norcross faces accusations of leveraging his influence to benefit himself and his allies by pressuring local governments to transfer property rights from a rival developer to one he favors. Alongside this, Norcross and his associates have mounted a rigorous public relations campaign to challenge the indictment’s validity, provoking irritation from state prosecutors.
“As we have said previously, the State’s indictment speaks for itself and our prosecution of the Norcross Enterprise will occur in the court,” stated Michael Symons, a spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office, responding to Christie's remarks. “Attempts by the Defendants and others — apparently even including a former Governor and United States Attorney — to attack the work of career prosecutors in order to litigate this case in the press and taint the jury pool will not be ignored.”
Norcross’s critics drew a stark contrast between the celebratory nature of the hospital event and a recent court hearing where his legal team sought to dismiss the charges, which are currently under review by a state judge.
"The spectacle at Cooper hospital shows just how deep corruption runs in New Jersey politics. Watching five governors share the stage with George Norcross, less than a week after he was in court for racketeering, tells you everything you need to know about what's wrong with our state's political system," stated Antoinette Miles, director of the New Jersey Working Families Party. "This carefully planned event was more than an attempt to clean up Norcross's public image while he faces criminal charges."
The event also hinted at the state's competitive Democratic gubernatorial primary. Two candidates were present: Steve Sweeney, a long-term ally of Norcross and former state Senate President, as well as Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who represents a district in North Jersey.
“[Sweeney] probably doesn't want my support, help or even my acknowledgment,” Christie humorously remarked about his former legislative ally. “So let me just say this for every Democratic primary voter: I hate Steve Sweeney. Lousy SOB. Awful guy, we never agreed on a thing.”
The hospital expansion was initially announced in 2022, with Murphy and Christie also sharing the spotlight with Norcross at that time. The hospital described the expansion as the largest building investment in Camden County’s history, conducted in collaboration with the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, a key Norcross ally. The first phase is set to include a 10-story tower covering 35,000 square feet, projected for completion by 2028, with approximately $170 million sourced from previous state appropriations to Cooper.
Kean, now 89, remarked cheekily that “things will be even better” once the new towers are completed “if I'm alive to come here again in another five years.” He noted he no longer participates in many public events, but felt it was an easy choice when Norcross invited him.
“I don't think I’ve ever said no to George Norcross,” he said during his speech. “And I wouldn't. Because if there's one human being at the center of the revival of Camden and Camden County and this whole area, it's George Norcross.”
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
