Anand Shah, a 42-year-old municipal councillor of Indian origin in US, has been charged in connection with a mafia-run gambling ring, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin. “Shah is among 39 individuals facing charges that include racketeering, gambling-related offenses, money laundering, and other crimes”, Platkin announced on Friday.
The charges follow raids at 12 locations across the state, including four poker clubs. Another individual of Indian descent, 48-year-old Samir S. Nadkarni from Longwood, Florida, has also been charged. He was identified as a “sportsbook sub-agent/poker host.”
Shah, considered a rising political figure, was serving his second term as a municipal councillor in Prospect Park, a suburb of New York, where he oversaw finance, economic development, and insurance.
What did State Attorney said on this matter
According to the Attorney General’s office, Shah allegedly managed illegal poker games and operated an online sportsbook in collaboration with the Lucchese Crime Family—an infamous Italian-American mafia organization known for working with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
New Jersey State Attorney General Matthew Platkin remarked that “the arrest of a sitting council member only adds fuel to the fire” of public distrust in elected officials.
Sportsbook gambling refers to wagering on the outcomes of sporting events. Authorities estimate the gambling ring to be a $3 million enterprise. The illegal operations were reportedly run out of social clubs and behind legitimate businesses such as restaurants, and also featured gambling machines.
Platkin cautioned against the glamorized portrayals of mob activity in popular culture, stating, “The reality isn’t romantic or cinematic. It’s about breaking the laws the rest of us follow—and ultimately, it’s about money, control, and the threat of violence.”
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What the New Jersey Police said on this Gambling racket
According to Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, operations like this represent a significant danger to public safety. “Criminal enterprises of this nature endanger our communities by fueling illegal gambling, money laundering, and racketeering schemes that prioritize profit over people,” he said.
He added, “Thanks to the relentless efforts and dedication of our detectives, this network was effectively dismantled — delivering a clear message that such criminal behavior will not be tolerated in New Jersey.”
