Morris County man among 14 charged in multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting ring tied to organized crime
TRENTON, N.J. — A Morris County man is among 14 people charged in connection with a multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting ring allegedly run by a member of the Lucchese crime family, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Thursday.
Nicholas Raimo, 25, of East Hanover, faces first-, second- and third-degree charges including racketeering, conspiracy, promoting gambling by bookmaking, possession of electronic gambling records, and first-degree money laundering by promoting.
The case centers on Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, 55, of Fairfield, who authorities identified as a member of organized crime and the alleged head of the operation. Perna; his sons, stepson, nephews; and a network of associates are accused of running a sports betting enterprise that transferred approximately $2 million in suspected gambling proceeds between 2022 and 2024.
“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,” Attorney General Platkin said. “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.”
DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton said the alleged scheme involved “a sophisticated sports betting operation,” adding, “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.”
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said the takedown reflects “our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks that profit from corruption and greed,” noting, “today’s charges send a clear message — we will continue to protect victims and pursue justice wherever organized crime takes root.”
According to court filings, members of the NJSP Port Investigations Unit began investigating the betting ring in January 2024. Authorities say the operation spanned Essex and Bergen counties and involved a nationwide web of bookmakers who enticed individuals—including student athletes—to place bets. Proceeds were allegedly funneled back into the enterprise to enrich its members.
Perna allegedly acted as the “financier” while his son, Joseph R. Perna, 25, of Oakland, handled daily sportsbook operations. Other relatives — including Anthony Perna, 23; Frank Zito, 23; Dominic Perna, 23; and Michael Cetta, 23 — also face charges.
Raimo and others — including defendants from New Jersey, Rhode Island and Florida — were described as high-level agents who managed their own sportsbooks within the operation.
Authorities also charged two additional individuals connected to the family:
• Kim Zito, 53, of Fairfield, who allegedly received payments tied to illegal gambling activity in 2023, and
• Rosanna Magno, 52, of Oakland, who is accused of attempting in April 2025 to hide gambling ledgers from police during an investigative stop.
First-degree charges carry penalties of 10 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $200,000, with first-degree money laundering carrying a $500,000 fine. Second-, third- and fourth-degree charges carry penalties ranging from 18 months to 10 years in prison.
