An Indian-origin councilman, Anand Shah was arrested with 39 others in a case of racketeering, money laundering and other offences related to an illegal gambling scheme which netted more than $3 million in illegal profits, as per the news agency AP.
Shah, 42, managed illegal poker games and an online sports book as a part of a gambling ring allegedly run out of restaurants across the Garden State, said the officials on Friday.
Who is Anand Shah?
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Anand Shah who hails from Gujarat’s Ahmedabad was a local business owner and resident in Prospect Park, New Jersey. For more than 15 years, he owned the franchise of Papa John’s Pizza and Subway along with 14 other restaurants, as per a 2016 interview published on northjersey (dot) com. He began his journey in business by owning a Subway in West Orange at 18 which was bought by his father, who owned an accounting business and invested the family’s savings into the purchase. Shah described himself as a business-savvy person.
Shah is reportedly the first Indian-American to be elected to the New Jersey borough council from Passaic County.
How was Anand Shah arrested?
Shah’s arrest was part of a two-year-long investigation that revealed illegal operations in Woodland Park, Garfield and Totowa. Amongst the 39 people arrested were also members of the high-ranking Lucchese crime family. The cops raided four illegal poker clubs connected to the family, two of which were run out of the backrooms of the restaurants. They also searched a business in Paterson that stored gambling machines and the homes of seven other people involved in the operation.
How did the poker clubs function?
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The entire gambling ring had hierarchies that ensured smooth functioning. As per officials, there were high-level managers who delegated the daily tasks, low-level managers who collected the rent from the poker game hosts, and the hosts, also known as house, who recruited their own players, provided food and beverages to host the games and financially stake them.
What charges is Anand Shah facing?
Shah has been charged with racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy to promote gambling for which he could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. According to the officials, Shah is not accused of using his office to carry out the crimes and is not accused of being a made member of the mafia, but an associate of it. He will be presented in the Morris County Court on Tuesday.
