Indian-origin US politician Anand Shah pleads guilty in illegal gambling case; earned $900,000, used it to fund campaign
Anand Shah, a New Jersey councilman, pleaded guilty to racketeering and money laundering in an illegal gambling operation linked to the Lucchese crime family, earning $900,000 used for his campaign.Summary
Anand Shah, a 44-year-old Indian-origin councilman in New Jersey's Borough of Prospect Park, pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering, and official misconduct related to an illegal gambling operation tied to the Lucchese crime family. The operation, active from 2017 to 2023, generated $900,008 for Shah, who hosted illegal poker games and collected rakes. He admitted using criminal proceeds to fund his political campaign by forgiving gambling debts in exchange for campaign contributions. Shah resigned from office after his plea and faces up to 10 years in prison, forfeiture of his position, and permanent disqualification from public office. The case is part of a broader investigation into the Lucchese-linked network, which charged 42 individuals. Authorities seized $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds and identified high-level organizers, including George Zappola and Joseph R. Perna, who also pleaded guilty. New Jersey officials emphasized that no one is above the law, highlighting ongoing efforts to dismantle organized crime's illegal gambling operations despite legal alternatives.
(Source：Times of India)