The Italian Mafia is tied to another alleged multimillion-dollar gambling scheme, with the latest charges involving a group of former NCAA athletes.
The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced charges against 14 people who were involved in an alleged sports betting ring with ties to organized crime. New Jersey police charged state resident Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna with racketeering conspiracy, gambling offenses and money laundering for allegedly leading an illegal operation that had student-athletes serve as bookmakers.
New Jersey authorities initiated an investigation into the alleged gambling ring in January 2024 that found the scheme had siphoned through roughly $2 million over two years.
“The takedown of this organized illegal sports gambling ring underscores our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks that profit from corruption and greed,” said NJSP Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan. “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.”
Alleged gambling ring a ‘family affair’
Perna is an alleged member of the Lucchese crime family. Perna’s sons, stepson and nephews were charged for their alleged ties to the scheme for operating sportsbooks.
Perna’s 25-year-old son, Joseph, allegedly oversaw the day-to-day operations of the ring.
Perna’s wife and ex-wife were also independently charged for their alleged involvement. His ex-wife, Rosanna Magno, allegedly concealed gambling ledgers during the investigation. Perna’s wife, Kim Zito, allegedly received payments with cash generated from the scheme.
“This was truly a family affair,” said Platkin.
Two bookies charged for the alleged scheme are former Rutgers wrestlers Nicholas Raimo and Michael Cetta. According to an ESPN report, Spencer Speziale, a 22-year-old charged in the case, is a certified NBAPA agent but currently has no listed clients. It is unclear whether any of the other co-defendants have ties to amateur or pro sports.
“On behalf of my client, he denies all the allegations set forth in the complaint. I don’t have enough information yet to comment on the evidence, other than to say he’s not guilty,” Perna’s attorney Thomas Cataldo told NBC Philadelphia.
SBC Americas reached out to the NCAA for comment on the alleged gambling ring.
Italian Mafia tied to NBA gambling scheme
The Lucchese family is also involved in the alleged gambling scheme that led to the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard and assistant coach Damon Jones.
Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star, was arrested for his alleged involvement in an illegal poker operation backed by the Italian Mafia. According to U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr., the operation used advanced technology to read and shuffle cards in order to steal millions of dollars from victims. Both Billups and Jones were used as tools to attract players to the alleged rigged poker games.
The NBA is also dealing with alleged sports betting infractions.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was also arrested for allegedly providing insider information to co-conspirators, manipulating his gameplay and the outcome of games.
Rozier allegedly notified the co-defendants of his plan to exit select NBA games early. As a result, the group wagered more than $150,000 on Rozier’s player prop markets.
MLB faces gambling woes
MLB also found itself embroiled in a new gambling controversy.
Earlier this week, federal prosecutors indicted Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for allegedly rigging pitches during games and receiving kickbacks.
The pitchers allegedly worked with co-conspirators to rig pitches between 2023 and 2025. MLB responded by placing Ortiz and Clase on paid leave while the investigation continues.
