Councilor Linked to Mafia Gambling Ring

A New Jersey municipal councillor of Indian origin has been implicated in a large-scale, mafia-connected gambling ring, authorities announced Friday. Anand Shah, 42, is among 39 individuals facing charges including racketeering, illegal gambling, and money laundering, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin. The charges stem from raids conducted at 12 locations across the state, including four poker clubs.

Shah, a second-term councillor for Prospect Park, New Jersey, held a key role overseeing finance, economic development, and insurance. His involvement, as alleged by Platkin’s office, centers around managing both illegal poker games and an online sportsbook linked to the notorious Lucchese Crime Family. Samir S. Nadkarni, 48, of Longwood, Florida, also of Indian descent, was identified as a “sportsbook sub-agent/poker host” in the operation.

The Lucchese Crime Family is a well-known Italian-American mafia organization with a history of criminal activity, and officials emphasize their operations extend beyond ethnic boundaries. The alleged gambling network is estimated to have moved around $3 million.

The case is a stark reminder that organized crime isn’t confined to the tropes of Hollywood. As Platkin pointed out, the reality of mob activity is far from glamorous; it’s about blatant disregard for the law, the pursuit of financial gain, and the ever-present threat of violence. The fact that an elected official is accused of participating in such a scheme is particularly damaging, eroding public trust at a time when it’s needed most.

Authorities indicate the gambling operations were cleverly concealed, running from social clubs and behind the facades of legitimate businesses like restaurants, and utilizing gambling machines. This case highlights the persistent challenge of combating organized crime and the need for continued vigilance to protect communities from its harmful effects. It’s a concerning development, demonstrating how deeply embedded such networks can become, even reaching into the halls of local government.