Former NJ Councilman Anand Shah Pleads Guilty in Lucchese-Linked Gambling Ring

TRENTON, N.J. – Former Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering and official misconduct in a Lucchese-linked gambling case. The plea requires Shah to forfeit his public office permanently as the state prepares to recommend a 10-year prison sentence.

Shah, 44, entered the plea Aug. 28 before Superior Court Judge Ralph E. Amirata in Morris County. The New Jersey Attorney General’s official announcement said Shah must serve 85% of the recommended sentence before becoming eligible for parole if the court imposes that term.

Shah Admits Sportsbook and Poker Role

Authorities said Shah acted as a sportsbook agent and poker manager in an illegal gambling enterprise associated with the Lucchese crime family. He admitted conspiring with other members of the operation and committing repeated gambling and money-laundering offenses across Morris, Passaic and Bergen counties.

Shah also admitted managing and hosting illegal poker clubs where the house collected a percentage of money wagered on each hand, commonly known as a rake. Prosecutors said he operated as a sportsbook agent with dozens of subagents and controlled financial transactions connected to the operation.

The plea marks a major development from the case that led to Shah being denied bail following his 2025 arrest. The initial arrests came in April 2025 after a two-year investigation into illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion and money laundering allegedly connected to the Lucchese crime family.

Gambling Proceeds Tied to Political Campaign

Investigators attributed $900,084 in criminal proceeds directly to Shah between January 2017 and August 2023. Shah admitted directing some funds derived from criminal activity toward his campaign for the Prospect Park council and allowing people who owed him gambling debts to contribute to his campaign instead of repaying those debts.

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said, “Public officials have a special duty to ensure that they follow the law”. The attorney general said Shah broke that duty by using criminal proceeds to help fund his political campaign.

The wider investigation has resulted in 42 indictments, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Investigators identified approximately $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds and said members of the enterprise used shell corporations and legitimate businesses to conceal money generated through illegal gambling.

Sentencing Set for December

The Attorney General’s Office said 38 other defendants had previously pleaded guilty in connection with the gambling enterprise between October 2025 and August 2026. Charges remain pending against two defendants, who are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton said, “Traditional organized crime remains a real problem in New Jersey”. She added that illegal gambling rings connected to organized crime continue operating despite the availability of legal gambling in the state.

Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah said Shah resigned from the borough council after the plea was announced. Shah is permanently barred from holding public office, while his sentencing before Judge Amirata is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2026.

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