The Essex County detention center was singled out by a federal government watchdog for numerous violations. A task force created by Gov. Phil Murphy is looking at whether a state program designed to encourage economic development enriched South Jersey political boss George Norcross.

Both Norcross and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo are hosting a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s presidential campaign Friday in Belleville.

That isn’t sitting well some progressives who plan to hold a protest outside the event.

“George Norcross and Joe DiVincenzo represent the worst transactional and self-dealing politics the Democratic Party has to offer, and Cory Booker shouldn’t take their dirty money,” said Maurice Mitchell, national director of the Working Families Party, which endorsed U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for president in 2016.

“When people say that our political system is rigged for the fortunate few, these machine bosses are exactly who they’re talking about."

Responded Booker campaign spokeswoman Sabrina Singh: “Anyone who knows Cory knows that he’s never hesitated to stand up and fight tough fights, speak out against injustice, and work to build a more fair and just country.”

Both Working Families and another progressive group, Center for Popular Democracy Action, have called on Booker to cancel the event. Groups participating in the protest include Stand Central NJ, Consecha and NJ 11th for Change.

“As a senator and a presidential candidate, Cory Booker has spoken eloquently of the need to treat migrants with dignity and to decriminalize our broken immigration system,” said Ana Maria Archila, co-director of Center for Popular Democracy Action. “It’s disappointing that he would turn around and immediately take money from ICE profiteers who have treated immigrants and refugees with such inhumanity."

The Essex County facility has a contract from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold detainees, including immigrants facing deportation hearings. A report by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general found moldy bread, slimy and foul-smelling lunch meat and other kitchen violations.

DiVncenzo in 2017 paid $20,446 in penalties to resolve charges brought by New Jersey’s Election Law Enforcement Commission that he did not disclose thousands of dollars in campaign spending and improperly spent funds on trips and events.

“Cory Booker stood on a national debate stage to talk, in Spanish, about the importance of protecting immigrant communities from Donald Trump’s immigration policies,” said Sue Altman, state director of New Jersey Working Families. “Senator Booker’s actions now need to match his rhetoric.”

Norcross is the subject of an investigation over the awarding of tax credits to businesses linked to him. He has sued the governor, claiming Murphy has overstepped his authority in creating the task force. The funds were designed to spur development in Camden.

A state audit found that the Economic Development Authority incapable of verifying the businesses that are poised to receive $11 billion in tax breaks have made the investments in jobs and capital they had promised.

The comptroller’s audit found the EDA may have “improperly awarded, miscalculated, overstated and overpaid” tax credits,

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, an ally of Norcross, has clashed with Murphy on numerous issues, most notably the governor’s efforts to raise taxes on millionaires.

Booker has seen his fundraising spike in response to his performance in Wednesday’s Democratic presidential debate. In an email to supporters, Booker said Thursday, the day after the debate, was the campaign’s biggest-ever fundraising haul.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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