Joseph M. Perna
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) today announced charges against 14 people for their roles in a multimillion-dollar sports betting ring operated by a member and associates of organized crime.
The head of the illegal operation, Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, 55, of Fairfield, New Jersey, identified as a member of organized crime, is charged along with his sons, stepson, nephews, and others, with racketeering, conspiracy, gambling offenses, and money laundering. Perna’s wife and ex-wife are also charged independently of the racketeering scheme. (See attached chart.)
“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,” said Attorney General Platkin. “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.”
“Today we are alleging that a member and associates of the Lucchese crime family were running a sophisticated sports betting operation,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “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.”
“The takedown of this organized illegal sports gambling ring underscores our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks that profit from corruption and greed,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “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.”
According to documents filed in this case, in January 2024 members of the Port Investigations Unit of the NJSP Port Security Section began an investigation into an illegal sports betting enterprise operating out of Essex and Bergen counties.
The enterprise systematically enticed individuals to place bets, and the illicit proceeds were used to operate the enterprise and enrich the enterprise members. Members of the enterprise included student athletes, who operated sportsbooks for the Perna enterprise. Between 2022 and 2024, the enterprise transferred approximately $2 million in suspected gambling transactions.
The enterprise included a nationwide web of bookmakers allegedly operating under the direction of Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, a soldier in the Lucchese crime family. Perna acted as the “financier,” who supported the operation. Perna’s son, Joseph R. Perna, 25, of Oakland, New Jersey, conducted the daily operations of the sportsbook, facilitating dozens of subordinate agents, including his brother, Anthony Perna, 23, of Oakland; his stepbrother, Frank Zito, 23, of Fairfield; and his cousins, Dominic Perna, 23, of Newark, New Jersey; and Michael Cetta, 23, of North Haledon, New Jersey.
Co-defendants Tyler Schnorrbusch, 23, of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Nicholas Raimo, 25, of East Hanover, New Jersey; Joseph Janish, 23, of North Caldwell, New Jersey, William Medeiros, 22, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Spencer Speziale, 22, of Wyckoff; and Devon Shuster, 28, of Gainesville, Florida, are all high-level agents of the enterprise who managed their own sportsbooks within the Perna enterprise.
In November and December 2023, Joseph M. Perna’s wife and Frank Zito’s mother, Kim Zito, 53, of Fairfield, New Jersey, allegedly received several payments from known conspirators of Frank Zito that were derived from illegal gambling.
In April 2025, Rosanna Magno, 52, of Oakland, New Jersey – Joseph M. Perna’s ex-wife, mother of Joseph R. and Anthony Perna and aunt to Michael Cetta – allegedly attempted to conceal what were later determined to be gambling ledgers from police during an investigative stop.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Robert Anstatt, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Kevin Long and Bureau Chief Brian Carney. It was investigated by the NJSP Port Investigations Unit. Attorney General Platkin thanked the Tampa (Florida) Police Department, the Rhode Island State Police, FBI–Newark, and the Gainesville (Florida) Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000, with first degree money laundering carrying a $500,000 fine.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Fourth-degree offenses carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
