One of New Jersey’s most influential power brokers says he’s “appalled” by the accusations against Sen. Robert Menendez — stressing he only gave $10,000 to the senator’s legal defense fund before the allegations were publicly known.
Democratic power broker George Norcross gave Menendez’s fund the maximum amount allowed under political finance laws, Roll Call reported, citing a report filed with the Senate Office of Public Records.
The donation, and another $10,000 given by Norcross’ personal attorney were made in July, before federal prosecutors indicted the senator for the second time in his political career.
“George contributed to Sen. Menendez’s legal defense fund a number of months ago out of respect for all the senator has done for Camden, Camden County and South Jersey, even prior to his service in the Senate, his inspiring personal story, and his accomplishments for all of New Jersey,” said Norcross’ spokesperson Dan Fee. “He made the contributions prior to the senator’s recent indictments.”
“Like others, he is appalled by the content and seriousness of the allegations they contain,” Fee continued.
Norcross is the head of a Camden insurance broker, a former Camden County Democratic Committee chair, and the head of a South Jersey-based political machine with statewide influence.
William Tambussi, who has represented Norcross for decades, also said he would not have made his own $10,000 donation had the indictment been available at the time.
In addition to the Camden County party boss, other donors include the International Longshoremen’s Union, and New Millennium PAC, a political action committee sponsored by Menendez. In all, donors have given $274,500 to the legal defense fund, which Menendez opened in July, two months before an indictment against him was unsealed.
Norcross also donated the maximum to Menendez’s legal defense fund in a 2015 bribery case that ended in a hung jury.
Menendez, his wife Nadine and three New Jersey businessmen…
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