Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah Held in Mob-Linked Gambling Ring Case, Maintains Innocence

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Prospect Park NJ,  Borough Council President Anand Shah, 42, remains in custody following his arrest in connection with a sweeping illegal gambling and money laundering operation allegedly tied to the Lucchese crime family. Shah, a Democrat in his third term, continues to deny the allegations as his legal team prepares to fight the charges.

Councilman Charged in Mob-Linked Gambling Investigation

Authorities arrested Shah on April 9, accusing him of playing a key role in a multi-layered gambling and racketeering scheme that spanned multiple North Jersey towns, including Garfield, Paterson, Totowa, and Woodland Park. The alleged operation included backroom poker clubs, illegal sports betting, and the use of shell corporations to launder proceeds.

A total of 39 individuals were charged in the investigation, which began with Shah as the initial target and later expanded to include alleged higher-ranking members of the Lucchese organization, including:

• George Zappola, 65, Red Bank

• Joseph Perna, 56, Belleville

• John Perna, 47, Little Falls

• Wayne Cross, 75, Spring Lake

Prosecutors Allege Use of Subway Franchise to Launder Money

According to a 29-page affidavit, Shah allegedly used one of his Subway franchise locations to mix legal and illegal revenue streams. Authorities claim Shah made over $570,000 in transactions tied to gambling activity between December 2019 and August 2023, utilizing platforms such as Cash App, Zelle, and multiple bank accounts—including one associated with a political campaign.

Evidence also includes iCloud data, text messages, and photos of financial ledgers. In one exchange, Shah allegedly coordinated with others involved in the scheme, attempting to facilitate large payments through his contacts.

Legal Team Plans to Appeal Detention Decision

Shah’s attorney, Michael DeMarco, expressed disappointment after a Morris County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of pretrial detention. Shah is currently being held at Morris County Correctional Facility, but DeMarco confirmed plans to appeal the decision.

Despite mounting calls for his resignation, Shah has not stepped down from his position and is currently running unopposed in the upcoming June 10 primary election.

Community Reacts to Ongoing Probe

As the investigation unfolds, community leaders and residents in Prospect Park remain divided, with some urging Shah to resign to preserve public trust. Meanwhile, prosecutors continue to comb through digital records and financial trails in what they describe as one of the most comprehensive crackdowns on organized crime in the region in recent years.

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