Camden ‘political boss’ secured $1B in tax breaks from program he pushed

A “powerful political boss” who pushed for a tax break program in Camden back in 2013 reaped myriad benefits as a result. A report published by ProPublica and WNYC found George E. Norcross III, his family members and companies affiliated with him secured more than $1 billion in tax breaks after the program launched. Sources told the outlets federal investigators are now examining real estate trades spurred by the program. Norcross maintains the approximately $300 million he and two business partners have invested in the city has been a benefit to the municipality. “We took a chance because of these incentives,” he said. “No one was going to invest in a city where you could buy sex, get murdered and buy drugs all in the same block. No one.” [ProPublica]