New Jersey Democratic officials and several highly regarded gangsters have been charged with their alleged roles in the state’s major illegal gambling rings, Democrat New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced Friday.
42-year-old Democrat Outlook Park Councillor Anand Shah is said to illegally run poker games and sportsbooks tied to suspected members of the Lucchese Crime Family, one of the offices of Platkin, one of the five major mafia homes in New York. announcement Friday. The alleged crowd gambling schemes run in restaurants and homes throughout the state, generating roughly $3 million in illegal cash. (Related: Details of Bob Menendez’s alleged bribery allegations are cartoonish)
Today we charged 39 people, including a sitting councillor. The message is clear. We bring all our resources to endure violent offenders, including organized crime.
If you break the law, or hurt New Jersey, you will be brought to court. pic.twitter.com/agjjleoqgy
– Attorney General Matt Plackin (@newjerseyoag) April 11, 2025
Officials allegedly Lucchese’s gangster George Zapppola, Joseph “Big Joe” Perna, John Perna and Wayne Cross were involved in the plot. Shah has been charged with latteering, money laundering and conspiracy to promote gambling, among other things, and if convicted in the most serious numbers, he could face up to 20 years in prison. According to To the New York Post.
“In the complaints we are making today, we alleges that northern New Jersey operates illegal card games and sports betting books in northern New Jersey,” New Jersey’s director of criminal justice, Teresa Hilton, in a statement. “This could lead to other criminal activities, such as money laundering and theft. The two defendants will be charged with stealing from local retailers, in addition to their role in gambling operations. These are not so-called “victim-free” crimes, but rather take their responsibility to eradicate these illegal businesses seriously. ”
According to Platkin’s office, Shah was one of 39 people charged in connection with the alleged racket.
According to Platkin’s Office, the arrests are the product of an investigation that lasted about two years and spans New Jersey areas such as Woodland Park, Garfield and Totowa.
“Following a two-year investigation into illegal gambling activities related to the Lucchese crime family, a search was conducted at four poker clubs in Totowa, Garfield and Woodland Park on April 9, 2025. “Anandshire, 42, a member of the Prospect Park Council in Prospect Park, New Jersey and a local business owner, is said to be managing illegal poker games and online sportsbooks in connection with the Lucchese crime family.
“We are keenly aware of the public’s perception of elected officials in New Jersey and the lack of trust that many have in civil servants and government agencies,” Prasin said at a press conference Friday. “The arrest of a city council member simply adds fuel to the fire.”
Shah was in his third term as a council member at the time of his arrest. According to To Bergen Records.
It was not immediately clear who represented the Shah.
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