A former New Jersey councilman has confessed to allowing players to settle their illegal gambling debts by contributing to his political campaign as part of a wide-ranging gambling operation connected to the Lucchese crime family.
Anand Shah, age 44, pleaded guilty on Friday, August 28, in Morris County Superior Court to first-degree racketeering, first-degree money laundering, and second-degree official misconduct.
Shah, who previously served on the Prospect Park Borough Council in Passaic County, stepped down from his position as part of the plea deal and is permanently prohibited from holding public office in New Jersey.
Campaign Donations in Exchange for Gambling Debts
Prosectors revealed that Shah acknowledged that individuals who owed him money from illegal gambling were told to make donations to his campaign. In return, their gambling debts were forgiven.
He also confessed to diverting other earnings from the gambling operation to his political campaign, as per the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Shah was one of many individuals charged in April 2025 after a comprehensive investigation into an illegal gambling network reportedly controlled by members and associates of the Lucchese crime family.
An examination dubbed “Operation Double Down” led to charges against 39 defendants initially. The Attorney General’s Office disclosed that the case has since expanded to 42 defendants, with 38 of them pleading guilty.
Shah acknowledged overseeing illegal poker games and serving as an agent for an offshore sportsbook as part of the operation.
Law enforcement stated that Shah’s criminal proceeds amounted to $900,084 between January 2017 and August 2023.
Prosecutors alleged that the operation was managed by senior Lucchese figures, including purported ruling-panel member George Zappola, captain Joseph R. “Big Joe” Perna, and soldiers John G. Perna and Wayne Cross.
According to investigators, some of the poker games were conducted in hidden backrooms within otherwise legitimate restaurants and social clubs.
Political Corruption
When Shah was initially charged last year, authorities did not accuse him of criminal behavior linked to his councilman role. His acknowledgment of using gambling proceeds and debts to benefit his campaign introduces an element of official corruption to the case.
“Public officials have a special duty to ensure that they abide by the law,” stated New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport in an official release. “The defendant not only violated the law but also utilized criminal proceeds to finance his political campaign. Today’s admission of guilt shows that nobody is above the law.”
Under the plea deal, prosecutors will propose a 10-year state prison sentence for Shah. He must serve 85% of the term before being eligible for parole.
His sentencing is scheduled for December 4.