In a scandal of massive proportions, a Democratic city councilman from New Jersey has been arrested alongside over 30 others involved in a large-scale illegal gambling ring that brought in millions through money laundering and a string of shady social clubs throughout the state.

For context, Councilman Anand Shah of Prospect Park, New Jersey, was arrested on April 9, 2025, on charges of racketeering, maintaining a gambling establishment, and wrongful credit practices. According to press accounts, the councilman has been accused of making predatory loans with 50% interest rates, participating in the running of a large-scale gambling ring, and more, alongside members of the notorious Lucchese crime family.

In addition to Shah, several members of the Lucchese family were reportedly arrested on the same charges, including John Perna, Wayne Cross, Joseph “Big Joe” Perna, and many others, with a total of 39 people charged in the case. According to press accounts, the gambling scheme had netted over $3 million in illegal profits.

In a press release from New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, more details were provided on the case and the specific crimes committed by Shah and his fellow defendants. AG Platkin said, “Anand Shah, 42, of Prospect Park, New Jersey, was identified as allegedly managing illegal poker games and an online sportsbook in association with the Lucchese Crime Family.”

Continuing, AG Platkin told the press that the investigation into the gambling ring “uncovered additional poker clubs, the involvement of dozens of individuals alleged to have hosted poker games and worked at the poker clubs, and managed bettors on an illegal online sportsbook.” AG Platkin also explained the elaborate money laundering practices used by the group, saying, “Members of the criminal enterprise used multiple shell corporations and functioning businesses to conceal their illegal gambling proceeds.”

Adding to the press release, Colonel Patrick J. Callahan of the New Jersey State Police commented on the negative impact that “criminal enterprises” like the one run by Shah and the Lucchese family can have, calling them “a serious threat to the safety and well-being of our communities, driving illegal gambling, money laundering, and racketeering operations that value profit over people.”

In addition, the press release explained that all of the defendants in the case have been charged with multiple offenses, including “racketeering (1st degree), [and] conspiracy to promote gambling and money laundering (2nd) degree),” continuing, “While certain defendants have additionally been charged with money laundering (1st degree), criminal usury (2nd degree), gambling offenses (3rd and 4th degree), and other offenses.”