Media advisory: Camden residents to testify at City Council hearing opposing plan to force taxpayers to foot Dana Redd legal bills in Norcross prosecution

What: Camden advocates will be calling on Camden’s City Council to vote down a proposed ordinance that would put taxpayers on the hook for covering the massive legal bills of former Mayor Dana Redd.

Redd is a central player in one of the most sweeping political corruption cases in New Jersey history. She faces state racketeering charges dating from her time as Camden’s mayor, when she allegedly acted as a key player in an illegal scheme headed by South Jersey political boss George Norcross to seize control of key properties along the Delaware River waterfront to benefit Norcross and his business partners.

Redd, who is facing years in prison if convicted, has hired Henry E. Klingeman, an expensive private attorney, to lead her defense.

This ordinance, which was introduced in City Council as a walk-on bill last month with no public comment, would put taxpayers on the hook for Klingeman’s bills — without any cap to protect taxpayers.

Residents of Camden, New Jersey’s poorest city, can’t afford to foot the legal bills of a former elected official who is on trial for allegedly using the power of her office to benefit Norcross at the expense of these very residents.

At a City Council meeting, advocates will decry this blatant abuse of power as yet another example of how Norcross and his corrupt political machine manipulate government to benefit themselves at the expense of taxpayers. They will call on Camden’s City Council to stand up to Norcross and his political cronies and instead protect taxpayers from this despicable plan — which is made all the worse because it comes even as Camden officials continue to stand with embattled school board president Wasim Muhammad.

The Camden school district recently paid $2 million to settle allegations that Muhammad, while still a teacher, sexually assaulted a former student. Muhammad, a Norcross ally, is refusing to step down even after calls for his resignation from Governor Murphy, acting state Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer and district superintendent Katrina T. McCombs.

Who: A coalition of Camden advocates, including Camden Parent Union, the Camden We Choose Coalition and New Jersey Working Families Party

When: Camden City Council meeting, 5 p.m. Sept. 10

Where: Camden City Hall

520 Market St.

Camden, NJ 08102