Prosecutors say an illegal gambling and money laundering network linked to the Lucchese crime family generated millions in criminal proceeds and stretched across New Jersey.
TRENTON, N.J. — Eight people and three companies admitted their roles Tuesday in a sprawling racketeering, gambling and money laundering enterprise tied to the Lucchese crime family, marking another major development in a yearslong organized crime investigation in New Jersey.
According to Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the latest guilty pleas come after a two-year investigation into illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion and money laundering operations connected to the Lucchese crime family.
Authorities said 42 people have been indicted since the initial arrests in April 2025. Between October and June, 27 additional defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with the gambling enterprise.
Investigators identified $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds during the investigation.
Prosecutors said the operation included illegal poker clubs, gambling machines and an extensive online sportsbook operated through websites based outside the United States.
According to court documents, poker clubs were run by high-level managers who oversaw day-to-day operations, collected fees from poker hosts and managed employees working at the locations.
Authorities said poker hosts recruited players, provided food and drinks and financially backed the games while earning profits through a percentage of each bet, commonly known as the rake.
The enterprise also operated an online sportsbook through agents and sub-agents who managed groups of bettors and passed a portion of the profits to the organization’s upper management, prosecutors alleged.
Investigators said the criminal network used shell corporations and legitimate businesses to conceal illegal gambling proceeds.
George Zappola, Joseph R. Perna and John G. Perna, identified by authorities as high-level managers and alleged members of the Lucchese crime family, each pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering and face recommended sentences of seven years in state prison.
Among those pleading guilty Tuesday were:
- Wayne D. Cross, a Lucchese associate, who pleaded guilty to promoting gambling and faces a recommended five-year prison sentence.
- Michael P. Frasso, 48, of Cedar Grove, who pleaded guilty to racketeering, failure to pay income tax and corporate misconduct, with prosecutors recommending an aggregate sentence of 15 years in prison.
- Frank Imparato, 46, of Saddle Brook, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and faces a recommended four-year sentence.
- Joseph Gossweiler, 41, of Florham Park, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to promote gambling and faces a recommended sentence of probation.
- Peter Norcia, 50, of Toms River, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to promote gambling and faces a recommended four-year prison term.
Three companies also pleaded guilty:
- Café Gio, which prosecutors said was used to facilitate illegal gambling, agreed to a $250,000 penalty.
- Frasso Trucking, which authorities said concealed gambling proceeds, agreed to a $250,000 penalty.
- CJW Development and Consulting, which prosecutors said concealed gambling proceeds, also agreed to a $250,000 penalty.
Seven defendants still face pending charges.
The charges against those remaining defendants are accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Eight people and three companies admitted roles in a gambling and money laundering enterprise tied to the Lucchese crime family.
- Investigators identified $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds.
- Authorities said the operation included illegal poker clubs and an online sportsbook.