NJ Councilman Admits Gambling Debtors Funded His Campaign in Lucchese-Linked Operation

A former New Jersey councilman has admitted he allowed gamblers to pay off their illegal betting debts by contributing to his political campaign as part of a sprawling gambling operation linked to the Lucchese crime family.

Anand Shah, 44, pleaded guilty Friday (August 28) in Morris County Superior Court to first-degree racketeering, first-degree money laundering, and second-degree official misconduct.

Shah, who served on the Prospect Park Borough Council in Passaic County, resigned from office as part of the plea agreement and is permanently barred from holding public office in New Jersey.

Gambling Debts for Campaign Donations

Prosecutors said Shah admitted that individuals who owed him money from illegal gambling were instructed to make political contributions to his campaign. In return, their gambling debts were forgiven.

He also admitted directing other proceeds from the gambling operation toward his political campaign, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

Shah was among dozens of defendants charged in April 2025 following a yearslong investigation into an illegal gambling network allegedly controlled by members and associates of the Lucchese crime family.

The investigation, dubbed “Operation Double Down,” initially resulted in charges against 39 defendants. The Attorney General’s Office said the case has since expanded to 42 defendants, 38 of whom have pleaded guilty.

Shah admitted managing illegal poker games and acting as an agent for an offshore sportsbook as part of the operation.

Authorities said criminal proceeds directly attributable to Shah totaled $900,084 between January 2017 and August 2023.

Prosecutors alleged the operation was overseen by senior Lucchese figures, including alleged ruling-panel member George Zappola, captain Joseph R. “Big Joe” Perna, and soldiers John G. Perna and Wayne Cross.

Some of the poker games were operated from secret backrooms inside otherwise legitimate restaurants and social clubs, according to investigators.

Official Corruption

When Shah was initially charged last year, authorities did not accuse him of criminal conduct connected to his position as a councilman. His admission that gambling proceeds and debts were used to benefit his political campaign adds an official-corruption component to the case.

“Public officials have a special duty to ensure that they follow the law,” said New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport in an official statement. “The defendant not only broke the law, but he then used criminal proceeds to fund his political campaign. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that no one is above the law.”

Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Shah receive a 10-year state prison sentence. He would be required to serve 85% of the term before becoming eligible for parole.

He is scheduled to be sentenced December 4.