Ex-Rutgers wrestlers among 14 charged with mob sports gambling ring in New Jersey

New Jersey Mob-Linked Illegal Online Sports Gambling Ring Busted

Fourteen individuals, including two former Rutgers University wrestlers, have been arrested for their involvement in a New Jersey mob-linked illegal online sports gambling ring. The operation, which was estimated to be worth millions of dollars, was orchestrated by Lucchese crime family soldier Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna from Fairfield, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

Platkin stated in a press conference that organized crime families continue to engage in illegal activities, but law enforcement is determined to dismantle their operations. The gambling ring was a family affair, with Perna’s son, Joseph R. Perna, managing the day-to-day operations of the sportsbook in Oakland, NJ. Other family members, including his brother, stepbrother, and cousins, were also implicated in the scheme.

Additionally, Little Joe’s wife, Kim Zito, and ex-wife, Rosanna Magno, were charged with attempting to cover up the illegal gambling activities. Two former Rutgers University wrestlers, Michael Cetta and Nicholas Raimo, were among those arrested. Authorities suspect that the athletes may have been involved in manipulating game outcomes in which they participated.

The illegal gambling enterprise involved a nationwide network of bookmakers who operated under Little Joe’s instructions to attract bettors and generate funds for the scheme. Between 2022 and 2024, the ring allegedly processed $2 million in gambling transactions. The New Jersey State Police’s Port Investigations Unit launched an investigation into the illegal gambling operation in Essex and Bergen counties in January 2024.

The arrested individuals are facing charges of racketeering, conspiracy, gambling offenses, and money laundering. Attorney General Platkin warned college students about the dangers of participating in illicit gambling activities, emphasizing the importance of avoiding involvement in organized crime-backed operations. Law enforcement officials are committed to combating illegal gambling and dismantling criminal enterprises like the one led by Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna.