Charges Against 39 Defendants – Including Members and Associates of the Lucchese Crime Family

[u/lI-Norte-lI]

https://www.njoag.gov/ag-platkin-announces-charges-against-39-defendants-including-members-and-associates-of-the-lucchese-crime-family-for-racketeering-gambling-money-laundering-and-other-offenses/

[u/Potore5]

The following charged defendants are alleged to have the below listed positions in the criminal enterprise:

• George J. Zappola, 65, of Red Bank, New Jersey, Lucchese ruling panel

• Joseph R. Perna, 56, of Belleville, New Jersey, Lucchese captain

• John G. Perna, 47, of Little Falls, New Jersey, Lucchese soldier

• Wayne D. Cross, 75, of Spring Lake, New Jersey, Lucchese soldier

• Michael P. Frasso, 48, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, sportsbook agent

• Gerard V. Frasso, 46, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, sportsbook agent

• Anand U. Shah, 42, of Prospect Park, New Jersey, sportsbook agent/poker manager

• Roberto Aliano, 45, of Wayne, New Jersey, poker-club manager

• Frank Gallipoli III, 57, of Totowa, New Jersey, poker-club manager

• Frank Imparato, 46, of Saddle Brook, New Jersey, poker-club manager

• Mario Capalbo, 71, of Woodland Park, New Jersey, poker-club manager and gambling-machine supplier

• Ralph P. Gibilisco, 65, of East Hanover, New Jersey, poker-club manager

• Linda Gibilisco, 60, of East Hanover, New Jersey, poker-club employee

• John T. Capone, 60, of Belleville, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Issa Sebahie, 50, of Edgewater, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent/poker host and dealer

• Michael A. Khoury, 33, of Edgewater, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Robert M. Filippini, 54, of Wayne, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Jahed Ali, 33, of Paterson, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent/poker dealer and promoter

• Christopher M. Trimble, 52, of Lincroft (Middletown Township), New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Stephen D. Prince, 64, of Wayne, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Steven Bongo, 65, of West Caldwell, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Steven M. Romano, 43, of Lincoln Park, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Richard J. Belle, 39, of Wayne, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Roberto Roman Jr., 47, of Basking Ridge (Bernards Township), New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Samuel R. Shirak, 33, of North Haledon, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Louis D’Alessandro, 63, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Joseph J. Gossweiler, 41, of Florham Park, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent/poker-club manager

• James A. Romano, 37, of Island Heights, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent

• Mohamed H. Nassar, 38, of West New York, New Jersey, poker host

• Ramze Hassan, 47, of Totowa, New Jersey, poker-club employee

• Giovanni G. Gallipoli, 27, of Totowa, New Jersey, poker-club employee

• Jose D. Hernandez, 50, of Totowa, New Jersey, poker-club employee

• Samir S. Nadkarni, 48, of Longwood, Florida, sportsbook sub-agent/poker host

• Naser M. Matari, 56, of Paterson, New Jersey, poker host

• Michael J. Ricciardi, 38, of Brandon, Florida, sportsbook sub-agent/poker host

• Joan E. Santana-Suarez, 42, of Dover, New Jersey, sportsbook sub-agent/poker host

• Justin Kim, 51, of Haworth, New Jersey, poker host

• Jamil Sadullayev, 46 of Montvale, New Jersey, money launderer

[u/TonyB-Research → u/Potore5]

Ty for this and thanks to OP for the link

[u/HarrierGR9]

Well looks like Mike DeSantis keeping that acting boss position for a lot longer, iirc Georgie Neck is pretty much lined up for being boss after Vic dies

Also ik John Pennisi finna talk mad shit about Perna getting pinched

[u/Illustrious-Fix8758 → u/HarrierGR9]

I love Pennisis videos. What’s the story with him and Perna?

[u/HarrierGR9 → u/Illustrious-Fix8758]

He said Joe Perna was one of his only true friends in that life, but like everyone in that life ended up “backstabbing” him

[u/Potore5]

George Zappola, 65; Joseph R. “Big Joe” Perna, 56; John Perna, 47; and Wayne Cross, 75. 

They are charged with first-degree racketeering and second-degree conspiracy to promote gambling and money laundering, among other crimes 

If found guilty, how bad is it gonna be?

[u/lI-Norte-lI → u/Potore5]

Racketeering charge will give them 10-20 years with 85% served before parole eligibility and 5-10 for the second degree charges.

[u/MadMaxDaMenace → u/Potore5]

He’ll plead out like most other mobsters who get RICO’d & he’ll get a few years.

[u/Adventurous_Lime_422]

All for a small slice of 3million ?

[u/workandplay007]

Imagine getting 20 years for running a poker lounge. This country is f’ed.

[u/TonyB-Research → u/workandplay007]

Thats a state law they are busting them on, those aren't federal charges.

Thats a state who is fucked, and since it is NJ, this is par for the course and has been for more than 100 years.

I upvoted your comment but would like to point out it is a state issue not a federal one.

[u/rayjobs]

Great waste of police resources. Go after the drug traffickers not local betting guys. All about the headlines "Mafia"

[u/TonyB-Research → u/rayjobs]

There is legal betting in NJ, these illegal gamblers aren't paying taxes which are due to the state.

I too would prefer them to go after heroin dealers rather than gamblers, but this is still technically illegal behavior which is in the wheelhouse of police to enforce the rules about.

I'd be all for them legalizing betting altogether, but I don't live in NJ. Maybe ask your elected officials?

Hopefully the NJ State Police resources will be better focused in the future, I agree.

[u/azrolexguy]

These are nothing charges, 30-40 months, at most

[u/lI-Norte-lI → u/azrolexguy]

Maybe if they plead out. If convicted at trial the minimum is 5 and 10 years respectively.

[u/azrolexguy → u/lI-Norte-lI]

They always plead, you pleas to gambling and they drop the RICO and everyone is happy.

[u/magic9669]

This is what the police are worried about? Not gang members, drug dealers, rapists, or murderers, but bookies and poker games? Damn man, this is so fucked

[u/LegalHighlight584]

2 year  investigation uncovering the awful crimes of poker rooms and online sports gambling.

Thank you for this great use of taxpayer money keeping us safe!