Dozens of individuals allegedly related to the notorious Lucchese crime household have been arrested final week for working unlawful poker golf equipment in New Jersey.
The 37 arrests — plus two others charged — embody metropolis councilman Anand Shah and mobsters mentioned to have operated out of restaurant backrooms throughout the state. Shah, 42, is alleged to have managed the unlawful poker video games. The Prospect Park resident and politician is a recognized enterprise proprietor who beforehand owned quite a few Papa John’s Pizza and Subway outlets.
Unlawful Poker Golf equipment
New Jersey Legal professional Basic Matthew Platkin, at a Friday information convention, mentioned Shah not solely managed the poker video games, but additionally helped the crime household run a web-based sportsbook.
“I’m keenly conscious of the general public’s notion of elected officers in New Jersey and the shortage of belief that so many have of their public officers and governmental establishments,” Platkin informed reporters. “The arrest of a metropolis council member solely provides gas to that fireside.”
The poker membership earnings are mentioned to have exceeded $3 million. Police wrapped a two-year investigation on Wednesday by raiding 4 unlawful poker golf equipment related to the Lucchese household.
“This was a extremely structured, extremely worthwhile felony enterprise run by individuals who thought they have been above the legislation,” mentioned Theresa Hilton, the director of the Division of Legal Justice.
The Lucchese household, recognized mobsters in New York and New Jersey, has handed down felony exercise by generations for the reason that Twenties. George “Georgie Neck” Zappola, whom police imagine to be a Lucchese ruling panel member, is among the many high-profile arrests. All 39 people alleged to have been concerned have been charged with first-degree racketeering, second-degree conspiracy, and different crimes.
“Organized crime in 2025 might look totally different than it did 50 years in the past, particularly due to the net part,” Platkin mentioned. “And a number of the language might have modified. Nevertheless it’s the identical outdated story. Criminals motivated by greed and energy who assume they’re above the legislation.”
Investigators declare high-level managers related to the crime household delegated day by day operations to lower-level managers who collected dues from hosts of the unlawful poker video games. The hosts have been liable for recruting gamers and would accumulate rake out of the video games.
These charged might face many years in jail. The racketeering cost alone is punishable as much as 20 years.
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