NJ Councilman Anand Shah Pleads Guilty In Case Tied To Lucchese Crime Family

India-West News Desk

TRENTON, NJ – Prospect Park Councilman Anand U. Shah has pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering and official misconduct in a case involving an illegal gambling operation tied to the Lucchese crime family.

Shah, 44, entered his guilty plea August 28 before Superior Court Judge Ralph E. Amirata in Morris County.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend a 10-year state prison sentence, with Shah required to serve 85 percent of the term before becoming eligible for parole. He must also forfeit his public office and is permanently barred from holding public office. Sentencing is scheduled for December.

At his plea hearing, Shah admitted conspiring with other members of the enterprise and carrying out repeated gambling and money-laundering activities in Morris, Passaic and Bergen counties.

Shah worked as a sportsbook agent and poker manager and had subagents working under him. He admitted managing and controlling financial transactions and directing portions of the proceeds from criminal activity to his campaign for councilman.

He also admitted managing and hosting illegal poker clubs, where the house collected a “rake,” or a percentage of the money wagered by players on each hand. As a sportsbook agent, he had dozens of subagents working under him.

From January 2017 through August 2023, criminal proceeds directly attributable to Shah totaled $900,084.

Shah also admitted that people who owed him gambling debts made contributions to his campaign instead of paying those debts.