A Prospect Park, New York City Councilman has been indicted on 18 counts in connection with an illegal gambling ring.
Council Chairman Anand Shah was indicted on 18 counts of alleged participation in an illegal gambling ring, including several counts of money laundering and racketeering in the first degree and second counts of official misconduct, racketeering and tampering with public records in the third degree. Readwrite has contacted the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to confirm whether the accusations are true.
Shah is about to finish his third term as a Democratic council member, while he is currently seeking support for another three-year council term before the November 4 general election. According to his lawyer, Michael DeMarco, Shah intends to plead his innocence.
The councilman is scheduled to appear before state Superior Court Judge Ralph Amerata in Morristown on Oct. 24 for arraignment, where he is expected to formally enter his plea. After his arrest in April, Shah was held in the Morris County Jail for seven weeks before being released by a judge.
The council member’s alleged involvement in an illegal gambling ring
The alleged illegal gambling ring is said to have been hosted Unlicensed poker games And I used a third-party sportsbook to place it unlicensed Sports betting. These activities allegedly brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars, which was laundered through shell companies.
Charges have been brought against 42 defendants, including Shah and members of the Lucchese crime family. The 78-page charging document It sets out the full charges against all co-accused.
Today we brought charges against 39 people, including the council member. The message is clear: we are deploying every resource necessary to crack down on violent criminals, including organized crime.
If you break the law, or harm New Jersey, you will be brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/AgjjlEOQgY
– Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) April 11, 2025
Regarding the punishment Shah could face if found guilty, a second-degree misconduct charge could result in a 10-year prison sentence, while other charges could result in hefty fines.
Other allegations against Shah in the document include: The allegation that the councilman “threatened to inflict physical injury” on “multiple victims” owed money from gambling activities; Allegations of fraudulent financial disclosure statement; and failure to pay gross income taxes, a third-degree felony, for six consecutive years between April 2019 and 2025.
In July Shah he wrote on Facebook He was released from the Morris County Jail on May 30, after being detained since April 9, 2025. His attorney, Michael P. DeMarco, Esq. “Mr. Shah is extremely grateful for the Appellate Division’s decision and eagerly anticipates his day in court, where he will vigorously defend against the state’s charges and clear his name and previously unblemished reputation,” he said in a statement at the time.
Featured Image: Anand Shah via Facebook
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