NJ Council President Fights Mob Gambling Ring Charges
Prospect Park Borough Council President Anand Shah remains behind bars while vigorously maintaining his innocence against charges connecting him to a sophisticated gambling operation allegedly tied to the Lucchese crime family. The 42-year-old elected official faces serious accusations of money laundering, racketeering, and gambling-related offenses following a sweeping investigation that resulted in 39 arrests on April 9, according to North Jersey.
Shah’s attorney, Michael DeMarco, expressed disappointment over a recent court ruling that denied his client pretrial release but confirmed plans to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, the third-term Democratic councilman faces mounting pressure to resign his position even as he remains unopposed in the upcoming June primary election.
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From Subway Franchisee to Alleged Mob Associate
The investigation that ensnared Shah initially focused on him before expanding to include high-ranking figures reportedly connected to organized crime. Authorities identified George Zappola, Joseph Perna, John Perna, and Wayne Cross as individuals allegedly in control of the operation, with Shah playing a significant role in the financial management of the enterprise.
Shah, who owns a Subway restaurant franchise, allegedly used his legitimate business to “commingle illicit and licit proceeds” generated through gambling activities. Investigators claim this strategy allowed him to launder money obtained through backroom gambling machines and poker clubs operating in multiple municipalities, including Garfield, Paterson, Totowa, and Woodland Park.
The investigation revealed that Shah allegedly conducted transactions totaling $571,642 related to poker clubs and sportsbook activities between December 2019 and August 2023. Authorities claim he utilized modern financial tools including peer-to-peer payment platforms Cash App and Zelle, alongside four different bank accounts—including one reportedly established for a political cause—to facilitate these transactions.
Digital Trail Leads to Detention
What makes the case particularly notable is the digital evidence authorities claim to have gathered against Shah and his co-defendants. Investigators say they discovered photos of ledgers allegedly used by Shah to track gambling proceeds, stored in iCloud records. Additionally, text messages recovered during the investigation purportedly confirm his participation in the gambling network.
One such message, cited in court documents, shows Shah allegedly texting someone identified as “Nas Poker Cell” in May 2022, attempting to arrange a meeting with “Joey and John Perna” to handle a payment. The message suggests Shah was actively coordinating between parties involved in the operation: “Hey send that message you set [sic] me to my partner Joey and John Perna please they will be more than happy to pay you right away and give you a bulk! Thanks. Can you meet with them today to pickup? So I can get schedule for you?”
The recipient’s response indicates possible tension within the operation, replying: “??? I’m not meeting anywhere after all the threats out of no where. We can get on a call the three of us and talk like civil individuals.”
This electronic evidence, combined with information from confidential sources and police surveillance, forms the backbone of the state’s case against Shah and his co-defendants.
Political Future Hangs in Balance
Despite the serious charges, Shah has not resigned from his position on the Prospect Park Borough Council. DeMarco, his attorney, declined to comment on repeated calls for Shah’s resignation. The political implications remain significant, as Shah is currently finishing his third term as a Democratic councilman and faces no opposition in the primary election scheduled for June 10.
Shah’s continued presence on the council while facing charges linked to organized crime has created a challenging situation for local government in Prospect Park. Municipal officials have not publicly commented on contingency plans should Shah be unable to fulfill his duties while detained or if convicted.
Legal experts note that while Shah is entitled to the presumption of innocence, his pretrial detention indicates the court found sufficient evidence to believe he poses either a flight risk or a danger to the community. Judge Thomas Critchley Jr.’s decision to keep Shah detained at Morris County Correctional Facility suggests the seriousness with which the court views the allegations.
As the case progresses, attention will focus not only on Shah’s legal defense but also on the broader implications of the alleged gambling network. The investigation exposed multiple illegal gambling operations across northern New Jersey, shedding light on what authorities describe as a “multi-layered criminal enterprise” with connections to one of the most notorious crime families in the region.
For residents of Prospect Park, the case represents an unprecedented situation where a sitting elected official stands accused of significant criminal activity with alleged ties to organized crime, creating uncertainty about the future leadership of their local government.
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