Dozens of individuals allegedly linked to the notorious Lucchese crime household had been arrested final week for working unlawful poker golf equipment in New Jersey.
The 37 arrests — plus two others charged — embrace 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 retailers.
Unlawful Poker Golf equipment
New Jersey Legal professional Normal Matthew Platkin, at a Friday information convention, mentioned Shah not solely managed the poker video games, but in addition 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 instructed reporters. “The arrest of a metropolis council member solely provides gas to that fireplace.”
The poker membership income are mentioned to have exceeded $3 million. Police wrapped a two-year investigation on Wednesday by raiding 4 unlawful poker golf equipment linked to the Lucchese household.
“This was a extremely structured, extremely worthwhile legal enterprise run by individuals who thought they had been above the legislation,” mentioned Theresa Hilton, the director of the Division of Prison Justice.
The Lucchese household, recognized mobsters in New York and New Jersey, has handed down legal exercise via generations because the Nineteen 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 completely different than it did 50 years in the past, particularly due to the web element,” Platkin mentioned. “And a few of the language might have modified. Nevertheless it’s the identical previous story. Criminals motivated by greed and energy who suppose they’re above the legislation.”
Investigators declare high-level managers linked 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 had been answerable for recruting gamers and would acquire rake out of the video games.
These charged may face many years in jail. The racketeering cost alone is punishable as much as 20 years.
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