A thirteen-count indictment against well-known New Jersey businessman and so-called “power broker” George Norcross and five co-defendants was dismissed in its entirety by a New Jersey Superior Court judge on the grounds that the indictment failed to allege illegal conduct by the defendants. Norcross and one or more of the other five defendants were facing charges of racketeering, conspiracy, financial facilitation of criminal activity, misconduct by a corporate official, and official misconduct.

It is somewhat unusual for an indictment to be dismissed because it fails to allege facts that support the indictment's criminal allegations. But racketeering and other white-collar crimes can be challenging to prove – and equally challenging to defend against. If you are being investigated for potential white-collar crimes, or have been charged with one or more white-collar crimes, you need the kind of a strong defense that the experienced attorneys from the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team can provide. Call us at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a confidential meeting to discuss your case and tell you how we can help.

The Indictment Against Norcross and Others

George Norcross is a well-known New Jersey businessman who is active in Democratic political circles. He and five other defendants, including Norcross's brother, Norcross's personal attorney, and several business executives, were indicted for, among other things, allegedly extorting and coercing others “to obtain – for certain individuals and business entities – properties and property rights on the Camden, New Jersey waterfront.” The indictment also alleged instances where one or more of the defendants actively attempted to intervene in plans that third parties had for Camden waterfront properties in an effort to benefit one or more of the defendants or their companies.

The Dismissal of the Indictment

The defendants moved to dismiss the indictment on its face. The judge agreed and, in a 96-page opinion, dismissed all 13 counts, including the racketeering count. He ruled that the allegations in the indictment did not “constitute extortion or criminal coercion as a matter of law.” He also rules that there was “no racketeering enterprise.” And finally, he ruled that the charges were barred by the statute of limitations.

The Challenge With White-Collar Cases

White collar criminal cases are often very complicated. Racketeering cases, for example, are particularly challenging. A racketeering charge has a number of different elements. Prosecutors must prove that some kind of an “enterprise” existed; that the enterprise had certain members; that it had stated goals or objectives; and that it engaged in a “pattern of racketeering activity” to attempt to achieve those objectives. The factual allegations in the indictment in the Norcross case consumed 190 paragraphs spanning 69 pages.

Defending against these complex cases can be challenging. You need a criminal defense attorney who has experience defending clients charged with white-collar crimes, someone who can quickly absorb the hundreds of facts that are often at issue, and who knows how to protect your rights. The Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team includes attorneys who have this kind of experience and who are ready to help if you're facing white-collar charges that could ruin your reputation and put you behind bars for years or even decades.

The Lento Law Firm Can Defend You Against White Collar Criminal Charges

If you are being investigated for suspected white-collar crimes or have been charged with one or more white-collar crimes, you need an experienced attorney who will vigorously fight for your rights. The Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team understands the laws, rules, and court procedures in New Jersey, and our attorneys are ready to go to bat for you and make sure that both prosecutors and the courts don't try to get away with any shortcuts that could harm your defense.

Your best defense is one that starts as soon as you learn that you may be a target of a criminal investigation or indictment. Call us at 888.535.3686 or fill out our online contact form and we will reach out to you to schedule a confidential consultation. Don't let the government push you around – the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team can help you push back and protect your future.