NJ Councilman, Lucchese Crime Family Members Caught in Major Gambling Ring Bust
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced on Friday that a councilman from Prospect Park, Anand Shah, was among 37 people arrested in a massive gambling ring bust. Shah was charged with managing illegal poker games and running an online sportsbook tied to members of the Lucchese crime family. The operation, which made $3 million in illegal profits, involved clubs in Woodland Park, Garfield, and Totowa, with George Zappola, a Lucchese ruling panel member, at the top.
The investigation uncovered a highly structured criminal enterprise involving Lucchese captain Joseph “Big Joe” Perna, soldiers John Perna, and Wayne Cross. The scheme included illegal poker clubs, online sportsbooks, and gambling machines stored in a business in Paterson. Hosts of poker games recruited players, provided food, and collected a percentage of the bets. High-level managers oversaw operations, while agents ran sportsbooks online. The websites allowed mobsters to modernize their criminal activities.
Shah was charged with racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, and other offenses, facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. While not accused of using his office, Shah is linked to the Mafia as an associate. Zappola, Cross, and John Perna are also involved in the case. Shah will appear in court on Tuesday, and his lawyers and the other defendants’ representatives have not commented. The arrest is part of a long-standing effort to crackdown on organized crime and illegal gambling in New Jersey.
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