New Jersey Councilman Anand Shah Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation

New Jersey Councilman Anand Shah has pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering, and official misconduct almost 18 months after his arrest. Shah admitted to running an illegal sportsbook and poker games with members of the Lucchese crime family. He previously denied the charges and even won reelection to the Prospect Park Council.

After pleading guilty last week, Shah resigned from his position as Councilman for the Borough of Prospect Park. He posted an apology on Facebook to the area’s residents.

“To anyone whom I have disappointed, I offer my sincere apology,” Shah wrote. “I accept responsibility for the circumstances that have brought me to this point in my life. I intend to face what lies ahead with humility, reflection, accountability, and a commitment to becoming a better person.”

Shah Previously Denied Charges

The message was a big change from the one Shah posted on Facebook in July last year, following his release from Morris County Jail. He spent seven weeks in jail following his arrest in April, 2025, which he described as “wrongful detention.”

In neither Facebook message did he mention the charges. Upon his release, Prospect Park elected officials called on Shah to resign.

His lawyer responded, “These charges will not deter or distract Mr. Shah from fulfilling his responsibilities to the constituents of the great Borough of Prospect Park.”

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office detailed the 18 charges against Shah in October last year. At that time, he denied the allegations. A month later, he won reelection to the Prospect Park Council.

Councilman Accepted Illegal Bets & Threatened Victims

Prosecutors alleged Shah was an integral part of a mafia-run illegal gambling operation. He not only accepted sports bets and organized illegal poker games, but also “threatened to inflict bodily injury” on “multiple victims” who owed money from the gambling activities.

He admitted to forgiving debts if gamblers donated money to his political campaigns. In total, he collected over $900,000 from the scheme between 2017 and 2023.

He worked closely with members of the Lucchese crime family to run the operation. In total, 42 individuals have been arrested in the case, following a two-year investigation. In June, 27 had already pleaded guilty; with Shah the latest, that figure has now risen to 38. Overall, investigators said the operation generated $4.79 million in criminal proceeds.

“Public officials have a special duty to ensure that they follow the law,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport in a press release. “The defendant not only broke the law, but he then used criminal proceeds to fund his political campaign. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that no one is above the law.”

Organized Crime Remains Active Despite Legal Gambling

“Traditional organized crime remains a real problem in New Jersey,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “Even with a variety of legal gambling options, illegal gambling rings run by organized crime continue to operate in backrooms and online. Law enforcement will continue to dismantle these criminal enterprises no matter where they operate.”

A separate indictment alleges that other members of the Lucchese family offered illegal sports betting on college campuses in New Jersey.

Joseph M. Perna, the cousin of Joseph R. Perna, who headed the operation involving Shah, is accused of running an illegal sportsbook with his son, also named Joseph R. Perna. The younger Perna recruited student-athletes at several colleges to act as agents, taking bets from other students. Prosecutors say this business generated over $2 million in profits.

As well as the indictments against the Lucchese family, one of New York’s famous five mafia families, prosecutors have also targeted the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese families.

Members and associates of the families were indicted along with NBA coach Chauncey Billups and former player Damon Jones, who admitted participating in rigged poker games.