PROSPECT PARK, NJ – In a shocking revelation, Anand Shah, a two-term councilman from Prospect Park, New Jersey, has been arrested for alleged involvement in a sprawling illegal gambling operation linked to the infamous Lucchese Crime Family, reported the Times of India.
Shah, who is seeking reelection this year, is among 39 individuals charged with a range of serious offenses, including racketeering, illegal gambling, and money laundering. According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Shah allegedly managed high-stakes poker games and an illegal online sportsbook, contributing to a multi-million-dollar criminal enterprise.
The news has sent ripples through the local community, where Shah held a position of trust, overseeing departments such as finance, economic development, and insurance. Born in Ahmedabad, India, Shah had previously built his fortune through a chain of pizza and sandwich franchises across New Jersey.
Another Indian-American, Samir S. Nadkarni, 48, from Longwood, Florida, was also arrested in connection with the gambling ring.
If convicted, Shah and others involved could face prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years.
