PROSPECT PARK, NJ - A New Jersey Democrat City Councilman allegedly connected to high-ranking members of the Lucchese crime family was arrested along with dozens of other high profile suspects in connection with a mafia gambling operation of enormous scale.
According to The New York Post, 42-year-old Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah was alleged by the Department of Justice to be involved with a gambling ring operated out of several New Jersey restaurants. Specifically, Shah is believed to have managed illegal poker games as well as an online sportsbook connected to four members of the Lucchese family.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin told reports at a press conference Friday morning that 39 people have been charged. According to a press release from the AG’s Office the arrests came as the culmination of a two-year investigation with searches conducted on four different poker clubs and eight other locations.
The operation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police with the assistance of the State Attorney General’s Office, FBI New Jersey – Newark and Red Bank, FBI New York City, the U,S. Marshals, Federal Probation, and the Department of Corrections Special Operations Group.
“Romanticized versions of organized crime have been the subject of countless movies and television shows, often set right here in the Garden State,” Platkin said. “But the reality isn’t romantic or cinematic. It’s about breaking the laws the rest of us follow and, ultimately, it’s about money, control, and the threat of violence. My office is bringing every resource available to crack down on violent criminals – including organized crime – and will root it out in all of its forms. And that is exactly what we have done.”
Along with the other 38 defendants, Shah stands charged with first-degree racketeering, second-degree conspiracy to promote gambling and money laundering, as well as other charges.
During the press conference, Platkin noted that he is “keenly aware of the public’s perception of elected officials in New Jersey and the lack of trust that so many have in their public officials and governmental institutions,” he added, “The arrest of a city council member only adds fuel to that fire.” However, as reported by The New York Times, he noted that the crimes Shah is accused of were “unrelated to his duties in municipal government.”
Theresa L. Hilton, the director of the Division of Criminal Justice under AG Platkin, told the Times, “This was not a backyard betting pool, this was a highly structured, highly profitable criminal enterprise run by people who believed they were above the law.”
The ring, allegedly overseen by high-ranking Lucchese family figures including Joseph R. Perna, 56, and George J. Zappola, 65, reportedly netted the organization over $3 million prosecutors told reporters.
“Organized crime in 2025 may look different than it did 50 years ago,” Platkin told the press, “especially thanks to the online component, and some of the language may have changed, but it’s the same old story: criminals motivated by greed and power who think they are above the law.”
Mayor Mohamed Khairullah of Prospect Park said in a statement posted to Facebook that the public should withhold judgment and allow the justice system to work. “I want to reaffirm that this administration holds all public officials to the highest standards of ethics and accountability,” he wrote. “Our commitment to lawful and transparent government remains firm. Our focus continues to be serving residents with integrity, unity, and purpose.”
The defendants made their initial appearances in Morris County Superior Court on Thursday. Per the Attorney General, first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $200,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
According to The New York Post, 42-year-old Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah was alleged by the Department of Justice to be involved with a gambling ring operated out of several New Jersey restaurants. Specifically, Shah is believed to have managed illegal poker games as well as an online sportsbook connected to four members of the Lucchese family.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin told reports at a press conference Friday morning that 39 people have been charged. According to a press release from the AG’s Office the arrests came as the culmination of a two-year investigation with searches conducted on four different poker clubs and eight other locations.
The operation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police with the assistance of the State Attorney General’s Office, FBI New Jersey – Newark and Red Bank, FBI New York City, the U,S. Marshals, Federal Probation, and the Department of Corrections Special Operations Group.
“Romanticized versions of organized crime have been the subject of countless movies and television shows, often set right here in the Garden State,” Platkin said. “But the reality isn’t romantic or cinematic. It’s about breaking the laws the rest of us follow and, ultimately, it’s about money, control, and the threat of violence. My office is bringing every resource available to crack down on violent criminals – including organized crime – and will root it out in all of its forms. And that is exactly what we have done.”
Today we’ve charged 39 people, including a sitting councilman. The message is clear – we are bringing every resource to bear to crack down on violent criminals, including organized crime.
— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) April 11, 2025
If you break the law, if you hurt New Jersey, you will be brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/AgjjlEOQgY
Along with the other 38 defendants, Shah stands charged with first-degree racketeering, second-degree conspiracy to promote gambling and money laundering, as well as other charges.
During the press conference, Platkin noted that he is “keenly aware of the public’s perception of elected officials in New Jersey and the lack of trust that so many have in their public officials and governmental institutions,” he added, “The arrest of a city council member only adds fuel to that fire.” However, as reported by The New York Times, he noted that the crimes Shah is accused of were “unrelated to his duties in municipal government.”
Theresa L. Hilton, the director of the Division of Criminal Justice under AG Platkin, told the Times, “This was not a backyard betting pool, this was a highly structured, highly profitable criminal enterprise run by people who believed they were above the law.”
The ring, allegedly overseen by high-ranking Lucchese family figures including Joseph R. Perna, 56, and George J. Zappola, 65, reportedly netted the organization over $3 million prosecutors told reporters.
“Organized crime in 2025 may look different than it did 50 years ago,” Platkin told the press, “especially thanks to the online component, and some of the language may have changed, but it’s the same old story: criminals motivated by greed and power who think they are above the law.”
Mayor Mohamed Khairullah of Prospect Park said in a statement posted to Facebook that the public should withhold judgment and allow the justice system to work. “I want to reaffirm that this administration holds all public officials to the highest standards of ethics and accountability,” he wrote. “Our commitment to lawful and transparent government remains firm. Our focus continues to be serving residents with integrity, unity, and purpose.”
The defendants made their initial appearances in Morris County Superior Court on Thursday. Per the Attorney General, first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $200,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
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Comments
2025-04-14T13:35-0400 | Comment by: thomas
Another crokked Another crooked Dem