Fourteen individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged illegal sports betting ring that authorities say was operated by a member of organized crime and his associates, according to an announcement from New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP).
Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, 55, of Fairfield, New Jersey, described as a member of organized crime, is accused of leading the operation along with family members and others. The charges include racketeering, conspiracy, gambling offenses, and money laundering. Perna’s wife and ex-wife are also facing separate charges.
“We may all think that the portrayal of organized crime we remember from movies and television shows and books no longer exists, but we are announcing charges today that allege it still does,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Despite the proliferation of legal betting of all kinds, gambling remains a mainstay of members and associates of organized crime. The locations and methods may have evolved, but illegal gambling – in this case, sports betting – remains a problem, and we will charge those who seek to profit from it.”
“Today we are alleging that a member and associates of the Lucchese crime family were running a sophisticated sports betting operation,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “They are also charged with money laundering and other crimes as part of their racketeering enterprise. We are committed to rooting out these illegal operations and protecting the public from becoming their victims.”
“The takedown of this organized illegal sports gambling ring underscores our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks that profit from corruption and greed,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “These racketeering operations exploit vulnerable individuals and communities, and today’s charges send a clear message — we will continue to protect victims and pursue justice wherever organized crime takes root.”
Authorities began investigating the alleged operation in January 2024 through the NJSP Port Investigations Unit after reports indicated an illegal sports betting enterprise was active in Essex and Bergen counties. According to investigators, between 2022 and 2024 about $2 million in suspected gambling transactions were transferred through the enterprise.
The group reportedly enticed people to place bets while using proceeds to fund its activities. Student athletes were among those operating sportsbooks for the organization.
The indictment lists Joseph M. Perna as acting as financier for what authorities describe as a nationwide network directed by him as a soldier in the Lucchese crime family. His son Joseph R. Perna managed daily sportsbook operations with help from his brother Anthony Perna; stepbrother Frank Zito; cousins Dominic Perna and Michael Cetta; along with several other high-level agents including Tyler Schnorrbusch; Nicholas Raimo; Joseph Janish; William Medeiros; Spencer Speziale; and Devon Shuster.
Investigators allege Kim Zito received payments linked to illegal gambling activity late last year while Rosanna Magno allegedly tried to hide gambling ledgers during an April 2025 police stop.
The prosecution is being handled by Deputy Attorney General Robert Anstatt under supervision from Deputy Chief Kevin Long and Bureau Chief Brian Carney following investigation by NJSP Port Investigations Unit with assistance from law enforcement agencies in Florida, Rhode Island, FBI–Newark office, among others.
Potential penalties vary depending on degree: first-degree crimes carry up to 20 years’ imprisonment with fines up to $200,000 ($500,000 for first-degree money laundering); second-degree up to 10 years’ imprisonment plus fines up to $150,000; third-degree up to five years’ imprisonment plus fines up to $15,000; fourth-degree up to 18 months’ imprisonment plus fines up to $10,000.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Defense attorneys representing some defendants include Thomas A. Cataldo (Dominic Perna), John Somohano (Frank Zito), Anthony Iacullo (Joseph R. Perna), Marco A. Laracca (Michael J. Cetta), Brian Neary (Tyler Schnorrbusch), James Leonard (Joseph Janish). Representation for others has not yet been confirmed.
