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76ers Co-Owner Interviewed By FBI In Camden Real Estate Probe

Josh Harris has been making lots of headlines this week, but the latest has nothing to do with arena plans.

According to new reports, the Philadelphia 76ers co-owner was interviewed by the FBI last year as New Jersey prosecutors pursued a criminal racketeering case against Democratic power player George Norcross III involving misuse of economic development dollars for projects in Camden, New Jersey.

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Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Josh Harris speaks at a Monday press conference on the 76ers plan to build a new arena in South Philly rather than Center City.

Harris, who was not accused of any wrongdoing, met with investigators on May 6, according to court documents obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The documents do not say why FBI agents wanted to meet with the businessman or what they discussed. Harris is one of several dozen people, including prominent Philadelphia commercial real estate figures, who have been interviewed for the investigation.

Harris and the Sixers’ parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, have strong ties to Camden, where Norcross exercised political and economic influence for decades.

Part of the case against Norcross, an insurance executive, is tied to 2013 city legislation that provided tax incentives to companies that invested in Camden. This preceded the Sixers building their practice facility in the city, which opened in 2016. 

A developer involved with that project was also interviewed as part of the investigation, as were real estate figures like Dranoff Properties founder Carl Dranoff, Versa Capital Management founder Ira Lubert and former Liberty Property Trust CEO William Hankowsky.

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment did not immediately respond to Bisnow’s request for comment.

Norcross and five of his associates are accused of using their political influence and threats of economic and reputational harm to obtain waterfront property in Camden and millions worth of tax credits, according to a 13-count indictment filed by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin last June.

This is allegedly how Norcross and his co-defendants obtained the land for Triad1828 Centre, the tallest building on the Camden waterfront and the headquarters of the political boss’ insurance firm, Conner Strong & Buckelew.

All of them have pleaded not guilty to charges that include racketeering and extortion. Norcross and his co-defendants have also asked for the case to be dropped, arguing the allegations in the indictment don’t constitute crimes.

News about Harris’ involvement in the investigation came just days after the Sixers shocked Philadelphians by backing out of plans to build a new $1.3B arena on 10th and Filbert streets in Center City.

Instead, Harris and his partner David Blitzer announced their intention to build a new arena to replace Wells Fargo Center in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex during a Monday press conference.