On February 3, 2022, Governor Murphy announced that he was appointing Platkin to serve as Acting Attorney General. Platkin assumed office on February 14, 2022, succeeding Andrew Bruck as Acting Attorney General.[8][9] He assumed the position in full on September 29, 2022, after the confirmation of his appointment by the New Jersey State Senate.[10] In May 2022, Platkin appointed his former colleague Lowenstein Partner Michael T.G. Long as Director of Division of Law in the Attorney General's Office.[11]
Platkin gained attention when his office said in legal filings that state laws that create the "county line" ballot design are unconstitutional and that he and his office wouldn't defend it in Andy Kim's legal challenge.[12] Murphy disagreed with the statement, releasing a statement through a spokesperson arguing that past legal defenses is appropriate and consistent with actions of prior Attorneys General.[13]
George Norcross indictment
On June 17, 2024, Platkin unsealed a 13 count indictment against former Democratic National Committee member and South Jersey power broker George Norcross, along with 5 of Norcross' associates. Norcross has long been the subject of controversies and multiple prior investigations by both federal and state officials, but no charges had ever been filed. Despite being a Democrat, Norcross had been known for his close relationship with former GovernorChris Christie.[14] In the 2000s, Norcross had been secretly recorded saying: "In the end, the McGreeveys, the Corzines, they're all going to be with me. Not that they like me, but because they have no choice."[15]
In the indictment, Platkin alleged that Norcross created a criminal enterprise and charging him with 13 counts of racketeering, theft by extortion, financial facilitation of criminal activity, and official misconduct. Along with Norcross, his attorney William M. Tambussi, his brother Philip A. Norcross, Cooper University Hospital board member Sidney R. Brown, developer John J. O’Donnell, and former Mayor of CamdenDana Redd.[16][17] The indictment surrounds the procurement of property rights and the usage of tax-credits in the Camden Waterfront, the commercial and entertainment district of Camden, New Jersey.[18]
After Platkin's announcement, Norcross (who had attended the press conference announcing the indictment in person), attempted to hold a press conference of his own in the lobby of Platkin's office, before being shut down by several New Jersey State Police officers. Norcross then decided to hold his impromptu press conference outside the building instead, and saying in response to the indictment: "I want[ed] to witness an extraordinary embarrassment and outrageous conduct from a government official who stands up there and tries to act like he’s holier than thou." Norcross then demanded Platkin try the case himself, along with calling the state Attorney General a "coward" and told him to "Buckle up."[19]
Personal life
Platkin and his wife, Sophia, live in Montclair with their son.[3]
^ abGovernor Murphy Announces Matt Platkin to Serve as New Jersey Attorney General, Governor of New Jersey press release dated February 3, 2022. Accessed February 3, 2022. "Platkin was born and raised in New Jersey, growing up in both Florham Park and Morristown, and graduated from Madison High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University, and his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School, where he was an editor of the Stanford Law Review.... Platkin resides in Montclair with his wife Sophia and their son, Robert."
^ ab"Matthew J. Platkin". National Association of Attorneys General. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
▌2 Unknown (2 territories) An asterisk (*) indicates that the officeholder is serving in an acting capacity. State abbreviations link to position articles.
