TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A new report from New Jersey’s Acting Comptroller alleges conflicts of interest in the awarding of government health insurance contracts connected to George Norcross.
Acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh’s new report alleges the Norcross-connected insurance agency Conner, Strong, and Buckelew and related company PERMA engaged in improper conduct by writing government contracting bids and then steering businesses to themselves, as they effectively acted as one entity.
Walsh said the scheme went on with limited to no awareness by state regulators, resulting in at least $36 million paid to the companies by the Schools Health Insurance Fund since 2021 and other funds serving local governments.
In a statement, Norcross said the investigation is “politically motivated,” full of factual errors, and is based on a fundamental lack of understanding about how complex insurance markets work. He went on to cite how the contracts have been subject to review by state agencies and a former comptroller for three decades without any issues.
Norcross also compared Walsh to New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, who had a case against Norcross dismissed earlier this year. However, an appeal has been filed.
Attorneys for the companies are also requesting a special council to investigate the comptroller’s office for allegedly coercing people to violate attorney-client privilege during interviews.