Alleged Mobster Suspected of Involvement in NJ Illegal Betting Ring
Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, 55, a suspected mafia associate, along with several relatives, was among 14 individuals charged Thursday in connection with an alleged multimillion-dollar illegal gambling operation in New Jersey that involved student athletes.
Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, 55,
14 individuals
New Jersey
A Suspected Mafia Member Is Among the 14 Charged Individuals
Perna, who is allegedly from the Lucchese crime family, faces charges including racketeering, conspiracy, gambling-related offenses, and money laundering, according to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. Investigators claim that Joseph M. Perna oversaw a “nationwide network” of bookmakers, allegedly managed day-to-day by his son, Joseph R. Perna, 25, who is accused of supervising dozens of what authorities described as “subordinate agents.”
New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Joseph R. Perna, 25
The charges follow a federal indictment issued last month that named alleged Lucchese associates, along with members of other crime families, in connection with multimillion-dollar fixed poker games. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former NBA player Damon Jones were also charged in relation to the alleged operation. Billups’ attorney has denied any involvement on his client’s part. Rozier also denies participation, and his attorney said he “looks forward” to contesting the case. Jones entered a not-guilty plea in court last week.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier
NBA player Damon Jones
Authorities Detail Alleged Lucchese-Linked Betting Scheme
New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice director Theresa L. Hilton said in a statement that authorities were alleging that a member and associates of the Lucchese crime family were running a sophisticated sports betting operation. According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, betting operations allegedly involving student athletes, as well as offshore gambling websites, “systematically enticed individuals to place bets” totaling $2 million between 2022 and 2024, with the money distributed throughout the criminal network.
New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice director Theresa L. Hilton
New Jersey Attorney General’s Office
totaling $2 million between 2022 and 2024
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin stated that, despite the expansion of legal betting, gambling continued to be a mainstay among members and associates of organized crime. He also stated that although locations and methods had evolved, illegal gambling, which also includes sports betting, remains a persistent issue that authorities would continue to prosecute.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin
Platkin emphasized that responsible gaming helps protect individuals. He added that any college students of legal age who are in New Jersey are permitted to gamble on their phones through lawful platforms, but should not engage in gambling through operations backed by organized crime, which he described as his “parental advice.”
