A massive underground network running illegal poker games and offshore sportsbooks under the umbrella of the Lucchese crime family took a major hit today as eight defendants admitted their roles in the criminal enterprise.
The guilty pleas, entered before Superior Court Judge Ralph E. Amirata in Morris County, mark the latest wave of convictions in a sweeping case handled by the New Jersey State Police, the Division of Criminal Justice, and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.
Since the initial wave of arrests in April 2025, which capped off a two-year investigation into extortion, loansharking, and money laundering, 35 of the 42 indicted individuals have now pleaded guilty. Twenty-seven entered their pleas between October 2025 and June 2026.
“The guilty pleas we accepted today represent another important step in dismantling this criminal enterprise and holding the individuals involved accountable,” Attorney General Davenport said. “Organized crime has no place in New Jersey. For decades, the Attorney General’s Office has been a leader in rooting out organized crime in New Jersey, and we continue to play that important role to keep New Jersey safe.”
Court documents detail a highly structured operation that blended old-school mob tactics with modern digital technology to generate $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds.
On the ground, the enterprise operated physical social clubs in northern New Jersey that featured live poker games and gambling machines. High-level managers oversaw these clubs, while lower-level managers ran the daily operations. Individual poker hosts rented space from the managers, recruited players, and took a cut of the money bet on every hand, a profit margin known as the “rake.” The dealers working these tables were either paid directly by the hosts or were forced to work to pay off their own personal gambling debts.
Simultaneously, the group ran a massive online sports betting operation using websites based outside the United States. Local “agents”—acting as modern-day bookies—managed individual groups of bettors known as “packages.” These agents and their sub-agents were financially responsible for the wins and losses of their specific bettors, and they kicked up a set percentage of the profits to the enterprise’s leadership. High-level bosses used threats of violence to settle disputes and collect on overdue debts.
“By pleading guilty, the defendants have formally accepted responsibility for participating in a criminal enterprise that caused significant harm to individuals and communities,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. She credited state police detectives with tracing complex financial trails to build a comprehensive case, adding that “illegal gambling operations exploit vulnerable people, money laundering fuels further criminal activity, and racketeering networks undermine the safety and stability of our neighborhoods.”
To hide the cash, members of the enterprise funneled the gambling profits through multiple shell corporations and legitimate front businesses. Three such corporations pleaded guilty today to second-degree conspiracy charges, each drawing a $250,000 penalty. These included Café Gio, used by poker club manager Frank Imparato; Frasso Trucking, used by sportsbook agent Michael Frasso to conceal proceeds; and CJW Development and Consulting, used by Lucchese associate Wayne Cross.
Among the individuals pleading guilty today were high-level managers George Zappola, Joseph R. Perna, and John G. Perna, all alleged members of the Lucchese family. Each pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering, carrying a recommended state prison sentence of seven years.
Michael P. Frasso, 48, of Cedar Grove, faced the heaviest recommended penalty of today’s group, netting an aggregate 15-year prison recommendation after pleading guilty to racketeering, corporate misconduct, and failure to pay income tax.
Other pleas included Wayne D. Cross, who accepted a recommended five-year sentence for promoting gambling; Frank Imparato, 46, of Saddle Brook, facing a recommended four years for conspiracy; and Peter Norcia, 50, of Toms River, who also faces a four-year recommendation for conspiracy to promote gambling. Joseph Gossweiler, 41, of Florham Park, received a recommendation of 364 days of probation.
“The pleas in this case mark significant progress, but our work will continue as the remaining cases move through the judicial process,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton, noting that the state remains dedicated to disrupting these enterprises.
Charges are still pending against seven remaining defendants, who are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Deputy Attorney General Heather Hausleben is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by New Jersey State Police Detective Sergeant Michael Gallant with assistance from the FBI, U.S. Marshals, Federal Probation, and the Department of Corrections.
READ: Detroit Lions’ Terrion Arnold Arrested As Alleged Plotter Of Brutal Tampa Ambush, 6 Others Jailed
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
