Officials are calling on Councilman Anand Shah to withdraw from his re-election campaign and resign his position following his arrest in a sprawling racketeering case tied to the Lucchese crime family.
Shah, a Democrat in his second term, is accused of running illegal poker games and operating an offshore sportsbook. He was among 39 individuals charged last week in a two-year investigation into underground gambling and money laundering operations that yielded more than $3 million in alleged proceeds. The gambling ring was linked to the infamous Lucchese family.
Authorities say the operation spanned locations in northern New Jersey, including underground poker clubs hidden behind restaurants and businesses in Paterson, Totowa, Garfield, and Woodland Park. Additionally, four reputed Lucchese members were charged.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the network combined traditional mob activity with the modernity of the internet.
Shah has not been charged with misusing his public office. Still, several elected officials said the nature of the charges is incompatible with public service.
Governor Phil Murphy, through a spokesperson, urged Shah to step down, calling the accusations “deeply concerning.”
Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, once an ally of Shah, joined the calls for resignation, too.
Shah is running unopposed in the June Democratic primary, and election officials say it’s too late to remove his name from the ballot. If he wins, the local Democratic committee could replace him before the general election.
A court hearing on Shah’s pretrial detention is scheduled for Tuesday in Morris County. If convicted on first-degree racketeering charges, Shah could face 10 to 20 years in prison.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.