Organized crime member, relatives face racketeering charges in massive sports gambling scheme

Rep. Brett Guthrie revealed his plans to investigate the NCAA over its recent decision to allow student-athletes to bet on professional sports, warning of the potential conflicts of interest that can emerge even from innocuous bets. 

The New Jersey State Police, the Division of Criminal Justice and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced charges against 14 people for their roles in an alleged multimillion-dollar sports betting ring involving members of organized crime.

Joseph M. "Little Joe" Perna, 55, of Fairfield, N.J., is the alleged head of the illegal operation and has been identified as a member of the Lucchese crime family, according to a news release from the Office of the Attorney General.

Perna is being charged along with his sons, stepson, nephews and others with racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and gambling offenses. Perna’s wife and ex-wife are also being charged independently of the scheme.

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A bettor holds a betting slip at the betting window at the Westgate SuperBook sports book Aug. 4, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

"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," Platkin said in a statement.

"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."

Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton added, "Today we are alleging