Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah has been permanently barred from holding public office after admitting his involvement in an illegal gambling ring connected to the Lucchese crime family. Shah pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering, and official misconduct, according to New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the scheme.
Shah, 44, operated as a sportsbook agent and poker manager within the gambling ring, which ran from January 2017 to August 2023 across restaurants in Morris, Passaic, and Bergen counties. As the Finance & (Economic Development) Insurance councilmember for Prospect Park, he hosted illegal poker rings, managed subagents, and collected "rakes" that generated $900,084 in personal profit. Shah also admitted to forgiving outstanding debts in exchange for campaign contributions.
"Public officials have a special duty to ensure that they follow the law," Davenport stated. "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."
The Lucchese family oversaw the operation, and authorities have charged 42 individuals in connection with the backroom games. The investigation, which included raids on four illegal poker clubs in April 2025, uncovered an additional $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds. Mobsters reportedly used shell corporations and businesses to launder the funds.
"Traditional organized crime remains a real problem in New Jersey," said NJ Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton. "Even with a variety of legal gambling options, illegal gambling rings run by organized crime continue to operate in backrooms and online. Law enforcement will continue to dismantle these criminal enterprises no matter where they operate."
Thirty-eight people have pleaded guilty in the investigation, with two others still facing charges. High-level organizers, including alleged Lucchese family members George Zappola, Joseph R. Perna, and John G. Perna, have pleaded guilty to racketeering in exchange for lighter prison sentence recommendations.
Shah resigned from his council position on Friday, the day his plea deal was announced. Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed T Khairullah confirmed Shah's resignation, noting that while he and other council members had urged Shah to resign after his indictment in April 2025, they respected his right to due process. The mayor's office plans to fill the vacancy.
Shah is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on December 4, where prosecutors are expected to recommend a 10-year state prison sentence as part of his plea agreement. He has been ordered to forfeit his office and is barred from seeking future political office.