Multiple Elected Officials Call on Councilman who Worked with the Mafia to Resign
On April 11, A Prospect Park councilman is facing numerous calls to resign by members of his party for having a role in an illegal gambling ring that was run by the Lucchese crime family (LCF). The family is a member of the Five Families that dominate the New York metropolitan area along with the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, and the Genovese families. The LCF has a New Jersey faction nicknamed “The Jersey Crew.”
Anand Shah, 42, is in the middle of his third term on the Prospect Park Borough Council. The Democrat, along with 39 other members of the LCF, is facing numerous charges, including racketeering, money laundering, and numerous gambling-related offenses. Calls for his resignation span from Governor Phil Murphy to his municipal colleagues.
“This moment calls for leadership that prioritizes the needs of the people, above all else,” said Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah on social media on behalf of him and the council. “Stepping down is not an act of abandonment — it’s a recognition that the continued focus must remain on serving Prospect Park without disruption. We believe this decision is in the best interests of our community and upholds the values that we’re entrusted to represent.”
Governor Murphy also weighed in on the matter.
“While the investigation into Councilman Shah is still ongoing, the allegations are concerning and call into question his ability to effectively serve the Prospect Park community,” said Maggie Garbarino, a spokesperson for Murphy. ” The Governor believes it would be in the community’s best interest for the councilman to resign, effective immediately.”
In addation, Shah’s council colleague, Robert Artis, showed some sympathy towards Shah, saying that he will have his chance to prove his innocnce but the charges brought agaisnst him should not go unnoticed.
“While Councilman Shah, like any individual, deserves his day in court and the full protections of due process, the gravity of the charges brought against him cannot be ignored,” said Councilman Robert Artis. “The judicial process will play out as it should — our obligation as public servants is to protect the integrity of our institutions in the meantime.”
Shah, who chairs the Prospect Park Economic Development and Finance Committee, is up for re-election this fall where he is unoppsoed on the June 10th primary. If he does choose to resign, the Prospect Park Democratic committee will need to find somoene else to run in Shah’s place. No names have yet been tossed around on who would replace Shah.
The Mafia being invovled in New Jersey politics is nothing new. Recently, John Alite, a former member of the Gambino crime family became a councilman in Englishtown, Monmouth County.
To learn more about my work, please visit my website.
Listen to The Anthony Miragliotta Show on Spotify.
Follow New Jersey Outlook on X.