Passaic County councilman pleads guilty to role in gambling ring
A Passaic County councilman pleaded guilty to racketeering and other charges for his role in an illegal gambling operation linked to the Lucchese crime family.Summary
Prospect Park councilman Anand Shah, 44, pleaded guilty on August 28 to first-degree racketeering, first-degree money laundering, and second-degree official misconduct in connection with an illegal gambling operation tied to the Lucchese crime family. Under the plea deal, the state will recommend a 10-year sentence, with Shah becoming eligible for parole after serving 85% of it. He must also give up his council seat and is permanently barred from holding public office. Shah was one of 42 people indicted following April 2025 arrests that stemmed from a two-year investigation into illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, and money laundering. He admitted to serving as a poker manager at illegal poker clubs, earning $900,084 in criminal proceeds between January 2017 and August 2023, and accepting campaign contributions from individuals who owed him gambling debts. Attorney General Jennifer Davenport emphasized that Shah not only broke the law but used criminal proceeds to fund his political campaign, underscoring that "no one is above the law." The investigation has netted $4.79 million, with 38 others also pleading guilty between October 2025 and August 2026. Shah is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4.
(Source：Northjersey.Com)