You know the old saying: Don’t bring sand to the beach? Well, in New Jersey, it’s “Don’t run an illegal casino next door to the ones the state actually runs.” Yet, that’s exactly the kind of mess that has landed Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah right in the middle of an 18-count indictment.
This is not your friendly poker night with chips and pizza. Authorities say this was an organized operation that made millions of dollars, complete with poker clubs, offshore betting accounts, and even ties to organized crime. The whole story reads like something out of a bad movie, but unfortunately for the councilman, it is very real.
A Seat at the Table and a Weapon in the Closet
Councilman Shah, a well-known local business owner who once ran multiple pizza and sandwich franchises, is now facing a terrifying list of accusations. The charges are a financial crime nightmare: multiple counts of money laundering, racketeering in the first degree, and conspiracy.
But the indictment goes even deeper, suggesting a betrayal of public trust. Shah is also charged with official misconduct and tampering with public records.
Perhaps the most chilling detail is the claim that he threatened to inflict bodily injury on people who owed money from the gambling activities.
It’s hard to imagine a councilman mixing civic duty with mob-style intimidation, but that’s the reality painted by this indictment.
The Mob, the Councilman, and the $3 Million Take
According to the indictment, which is a 78-page document, this gambling ring was a real money-maker, reportedly raking in more than $3 million.
The whole thing allegedly ran out of places you’d never expect: the investigation found four active poker clubs hidden behind the scenes in towns like Totowa and Garfield, sometimes buried behind functioning restaurants.
DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton was quick to point out that these are far from “victimless” crimes, often leading to other nasty stuff like theft and money laundering. She’s essentially saying this isn’t Hollywood; it’s just plain, greedy crime.
Making things even juicier, investigators released a chart showing the alleged hierarchy of the criminal enterprise, right up to George Zappola, who they claim is a member of the Lucchese Family. This wasn’t a local rogue operation; it had serious muscle behind it. It had mob ties.
Campaigning While Indicted
Now here’s the shocker. Despite being arrested last April (and spending seven weeks in jail until his release was authorized) and facing an arraignment later this month on October 24, Shah is still actively campaigning for another three-year council term in November.
Understandably, Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah and other elected officials have publicly called on Shah to resign immediately and drop his re-election bid, stating that public officials must be held to the absolute highest ethical standards.
Shah and his attorney, however, are sticking to their guns. They maintain his innocence and look forward to clearing his “previously unblemished name and reputation” in court. If convicted on all charges, though, the numbers are staggering: he could be facing a maximum prison sentence of over 150 years.
About the Author
