New Jersey Township Councilman Charged in Lucchese Crime Family Gambling Bust

Posted on: April 11, 2025, 10:33h. 

Last updated on: April 11, 2025, 10:54h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More

Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.

• Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah, 42, charged in major gambling bust
• 39 suspects linked to Lucchese crime family, per prosecutors
• Charges include racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, and illegal gambling

A Democratic councilman for Prospect Park, NJ, was among 39 people charged this week with crimes related to a massive illegal gambling ring. Some are reputed members and associates of the Lucchese crime family, according to court documents.

Anand Shah, 42, was arrested Wednesday and charged with conspiracy, money laundering, and racketeering, as well as keeping illegal gambling records and other gambling offenses.

He appeared in the Morris County Super Court on Thursday with some of the other suspects, according to NJ.com.

‘Lucchese Associate’

Shah is accused of managing illegal poker games and an online sportsbook as an associate of the Lucchese family, according to prosecutors. The investigation uncovered numerous poker games held at social clubs that also housed gambling machines.

The ring also operated an extensive sportsbook through websites based overseas, prosecutors said.

Profits from these operations were kicked up to Lucchese bosses, including George Zappola, 65, Joseph R. “Big Joe” Perna, 56, John Perna, 47, and Wayne Cross, 75, all of New Jersey.

Managers collected monetary dues, called ‘rent,’ from poker hosts for permitting the games to occur and oversaw employees who worked in the clubs. Poker hosts were responsible for recruiting their own players, supplying food and drink for the games, and financially staking the game,” prosecutors said Friday.

Proceeds were disguised through a network of shell corporations and functioning businesses. Investigators have traced more than $3 million in profits laundered by the group.

The alleged offenses occurred in affluent Hanover Township, about half an hour west of Prospect Park.

Six defendants were accused of participating in or planning violence related to the gambling ring.

Mayor Responds

Shah was elected to a third term as a councilman for Prospect Park in 2022. His tenure is due to expire this year.

“I have been informed of the recent arrest of Councilman Anand Shah in connection with an investigation unrelated to his duties in municipal government,” Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah said in a statement on Facebook.

While we do not yet know the full scope or outcome of the legal process ahead, I want to reaffirm that this administration holds all public officials to the highest standards of ethics and accountability. Our commitment to lawful and transparent governance remains firm.”

Shah is scheduled for a detention hearing next week. He remains incarcerated.