Poker Writer
A Prospect Park, N.J., councilman was indicted on 18 charges related to an illegal gambling ring, part of ongoing operations by the Lucchese crime family.
Anand Shah and the other 41 suspects allegedly facilitated illegal bookmaking and poker games through a variety of front businesses. Principal charges include several counts of money laundering and racketeering in the first degree.
A Democrat serving his third term, Shah seeks another three-year council term in the New Jersey general election on Nov. 4. His attorney said in a statement that Shah “will vigorously defend against the State’s charges and clear his previously unblemished name and reputation.”
In addition to the first-degree money laundering and racketeering, charges against Shah also include second-degree official misconduct and extortion, and a third-degree charge of tampering with public records.
Investigators from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office released a diagram of the organized crime hierarchy, which included Shah. The diagram shows Shah with an alleged connection to Michael Frasso as part of a large web of conspirators. Shah and Frasso are listed as partners in a sportsbook, with Shah then connected to Roberto Aliano, a poker game runner. Shah also has several subagents listed below him.
Such a setup is typical of black-market sportsbooks. They typically rely on a hierarchy of agents and subagents, each with his or her own clientele.
Charges stem from April arrests of those accused in the illegal gambling ring. Authorities allege the group profited from illegal poker games and sports betting, then had associate Jamil Sadullayev launder the proceeds.
Individual Charges Against Shah
Aside from the conspiracy charges, Shah will also face a number of individual charges. Those include usury, extortion, theft, tax evasion, and tampering with public records. His role on City Council also led to the misconduct by an official charge.
His tax-related charges include failure to pay income tax and filing fraudulent returns. The extortion charge alleges that the councilman threatened to inflict bodily harm on multiple gamblers in debt to the group.
Many of the charges Shah faces could result in lengthy prison sentences, particularly the group charges for racketeering, money laundering, and conspiracy. However, some of the individual charges would only result in fines if Shah is acquitted of the more serious crimes.
