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The New Jersey State Police, Division of Criminal Justice and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced charges against 14 individuals for their roles in a multimillion-dollar sports betting ring involving members of organized crime.
Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, 55, of Fairfield, New Jersey, is the alleged leader of the illegal operation and has been identified as a member of the Lucchese crime family, according to a press release from the Attorney General’s Office.
Perna is charged along with his sons, stepson, nephews and others with racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and gambling crimes. Perna’s wife and ex-wife are also charged separately from the scheme.
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A bettor holds a betting slip at the betting window of the Westgate SuperBook sportsbook, August 4, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
“We may all think that the depiction of organized crime we remember from movies, TV shows and books no longer exists, but today we are announcing charges that claim it still exists,” Platkin said in a statement. “Despite the proliferation of legal betting of all kinds, gambling remains a mainstay of organized crime members and associates. The locations and methods may have evolved, but illegal gambling – in this case sports betting – remains a problem, and we will blame those who seek to profit from it.”
Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton added, “Today we allege that a member and associates of the Lucchese crime family ran a sophisticated sports betting operation. …We are committed to eradicating these illegal operations and preventing the public from becoming their victims. »
Documents filed in the case allege that in January 2024, members of the Port Investigation Unit of the State Police Port Security Section began investigating an illegal sports betting ring operating in Essex and Bergen counties.
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This scheme allegedly encouraged individuals to place bets, and the profits were used to operate the company and enrich its members. Some participants were believed to be student-athletes who operated sportsbooks.
Between 2022 and 2024, the gaming network reportedly transferred suspected gaming transactions worth an estimated $2 million.
The company had a “national network of bookmakers” who worked under the direction of Perna, a soldier in the Lucchese crime family.
A general view of betting odds on the Westgate SuperBook sportsbook’s video board, August 4, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
“Perna acted as a ‘financier,’ who supported the operation,” the attorney general’s office said. “Perna’s son, Joseph R. Perna, 25, of Oakland, NJ, ran the day-to-day operations of the sportsbook, facilitating dozens of subordinate agents, including his brother, Anthony Perna, 23, of Oakland; his half-brother, Frank Zito, 23, of Fairfield; and his cousins, Dominic Perna, 23, of Newark, NJ; and Michael Cetta, 23, of North Haledon, NJ”
There were other co-defendants in this case, including one from North Kingstown, RI, and another from Gainesville, Florida. Others came from several towns in northern New Jersey.
As for the women involved in “Little Joe” Perna, his current wife, Kim Zito, allegedly received several payments in November and December 2023 from known Frank Zito conspirators linked to illegal gambling.
Then, in April 2025, Perna’s ex-wife, Rosanna Magno, allegedly tried to hide the gambling records from police during an investigative check.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, with United States Attorney General Merrick Garland (left) and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, speaks during a press conference announcing an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, March 21, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)
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The first-degree crimes in this case carry a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years and a fine of up to $200,000. First-degree money laundering is punishable by a fine of $500,000. Second through fourth degree charges also carry prison time.
“The dismantling of this illegal organized sports gambling ring underscores our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks that profit from corruption and greed,” said New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan. “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.”
