NJ Politician Arrested in Multi-Million Dollar Lucchese Crime Family Gambling Ring

Illegal Gambling Operations Uncovered in New Jersey

• 🚨 Thirty-nine people have been arrested in connection with illegal gambling operations across New Jersey.
• 💰 These operations are alleged to be tied to the Lucchese crime family and generated millions in illicit profits.

Law Enforcement Raids and Charges

• 🎯 State police, under the direction of Attorney General Matthew Plattkin, raided multiple businesses, uncovering illegal poker clubs in Totowa, Woodland Park, and Garfield.
• 📈 A business in Patterson was found to be storing illegal gambling machines.
• 🃏 Authorities described the operations as a highly structured, profitable criminal enterprise, not just casual betting.

Prospect Park Councilman Implicated

• 🏛️ Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shaw is among those charged, accused of managing one of the illegal poker games and an associated online sportsbook.
• 📞 Councilman Shaw has not responded to requests for comment.

Scale of the Criminal Enterprise

• 💸 Officials estimate $3 million in ill-gotten gains were seized from poker rooms across North Jersey.
• 🔗 Profits were allegedly funneled up to members of the Lucchese crime family.
• 🤫 Local business employees expressed surprise, with some indicating they didn't ask too many questions about the activities in the back rooms.