Cross-Posted from DaleGlading.com
“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.”
Numbers 32:23 (NKJV)
If you are not from New Jersey (and South Jersey in particular), you may be unfamiliar with the name “George Norcross.” Suffice it to say that he has been the #1 political powerbroker in South Jersey since the late 1980s. The son of a union boss, Norcross has made a fortune in the insurance business with a reported net worth of $250 million, much of it accumulated through his political network and allegedly shady business deals.
If you wanted to run for office in South Jersey, you had to have George’s blessing… kind of like kissing the ring of Don Corleone in The Godfather. Otherwise, he would use his political (and possible mob) connections to destroy you. And if you were an office holder south of Trenton, you had to be in George’s pocket if you wanted to be effective, let alone re-elected.
Just ask Rob Andrews, who started his political career as a protégé of congressman (and later governor) Jim Florio. Once Florio lost his re-election bid in 1993, Andrews needed a new benefactor and became – for all intents and purposes – Norcross’ puppet. And when Andrews was forced to resign from Congress over some serious ethics violations, George simply replaced him with his younger brother Donald.
So, why am I boring you with all these details of backroom deals and political corruption? Because earlier this week, in the infamous words of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, “the chickens have come home to roost.” That’s right; after skirting around the law and narrowly avoiding prosecution for decades, George Norcross was finally indicted on federal racketeering charges!
Norcross is the executive chairman of Connor Strong & Buckelew, an insurance and benefits brokerage, the chairman of the board for Cooper University Health Care System, and a part owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. However, none of those titles will do him any good now as he faces 13 racketeering counts for allegedly conspiring to illegally obtain waterfront property and property rights, unlawfully collecting millions of dollars in government tax credits, and attempting to influence and control public officials.
Yep, that sounds like George, all right. How should I know? Well, George graduated from the same high school as I did. So did his brother Don and their friend Steve Sweeney (both Class of 1977), who went from being a dropout to State Senate President and a Democratic candidate for governor in 2025, riding George’s coattails the entire way. On top of that, I twice ran against Norcross’ proxy, Rob Andrews, for Congress.
Four peas in a pod, if you ask me, but I’ll leave it up to the grand jury to decide. Meanwhile, sleazy politicians everywhere had better start watching their backs because – sooner or later, in this life or the next – they will get caught.
