At least one influential person is sticking by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin despite criticism from all quarters after a judge dismissed his indictment against South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross: U.S. Senator Andy Kim.
In a statement, Kim, who has previously supported Platkin on anti-corruption concerns and expressed doubt about Norcross, one of the most influential figures in state politics, said he still thinks Platkin’s cause is just in spite of recent losses.
Naturally, an attorney general who is attempting to rectify our dysfunctional politics in New Jersey and confront illegality from the White House will cause a stir and provoke reprisals, Kim stated. I like AG Platkin’s commitment to public service and willingness to take on difficult issues that many others avoid. We need that political and partisan independence today more than ever, especially in our law enforcement, but not everyone will agree with all of his actions because he has expressed concerns about both Republicans and Democrats.
Last summer, Platkin unveiled a shocking indictment against Norcross, one of his brothers, and a number of prominent South Jersey Democrats, claiming that Norcross had been involved in a protracted racketeering and corruption plot in the city of Camden. In a letter Monday, state Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw concurred with Norcross’s vituperative denial of the charges, stating that his actions were just those of a hard-nosed businessman and that the accusations do not legally amount to extortion or criminal coercion. (Platkin has pledged to pursue the case further and challenged the judge’s decision to drop the charges.)
Republicans in the New Jersey State Assembly filed impeachment allegations against Platkin today, claiming that he had abused his position and crippled the State Police, while Norcross asserted vindication and threatened to bring a civil complaint for prosecutorial misconduct in response to the dismissal. Platkin had already gained very few allies in state politics due to his tough approach to his office’s work, and the judge’s ruling has only made matters worse.
However, it makes reasonable that Kim would be the politician to support Platkin despite the commotion. Platkin was first appointed by Governor Phil Murphy, but he has become more independent of the governor. Last year, Kim, the governor’s wife, faced off against Platkin in a Democratic Senate primary. The pivotal moment in that primary occurred when Platkin stated that he thought the county line ballot design system was unconstitutional, a claim that Kim later successfully contested in federal court.
As mentioned in Kim’s statement, Platkin has also become more well-known as part of a group of Democratic attorneys general who have challenged the Trump administration in court—and often prevailed.
