The criminal indictment alleging racketeering against longtime New Jersey Democratic powerbroker George Norcross and others has been thrown out on the grounds that the allegations didn’t reach the level of coercion or extortion as prosecutors alleged.

A New Jersey judge on Wednesday dismissed racketeering charges against George E. Norcross III and his five codefendants, delivering a stunning setback to prosecutors who had accused the Democratic power broker of using threats and intimidation to obtain valuable waterfront property in Camden.

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.

George Norcross III had been accused of unlawfully obtaining property along the waterfront in Camden, N.J., and fraudulently collecting millions of dollars in tax breaks.

Norcross has had huge sway in South Jersey and state politics since the early 1990s and retained his power and prestige despite the indictment.

A New Jersey judge accepted George Norcross' motion to dismiss an indictment against him, though the legal battle is not over yet.

One candidate for New Jersey governor is fiercely backing Democratic powerbroker George Norcross after a judge dismissed a racketeering case against him. Nine other candidates contacted by The Inquirer had a range of reactions,