https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/councilman-arrested-for-racketeering-gambling-money-laundering/

Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah was arrested today on racketeering, gambling, money laundering, and conspiracy charges.

Shah, 42, was also charged with maintaining a gambling establishment and engaging in wrongful credit practices.  He’s accused of making loans at a 50% interest rate.  The criminal complaint was signed by New Jersey State Police Det. Sgt. Michael Gallant, a criminal investigator.

The two-term councilman is up for re-election this year and is unopposed in the June 10 Democratic primary in a safe Democratic municipality in Passaic County.  The deadline to replace him on the ballot has passed, but there are workarounds to that if the county clerk has not yet printed the ballots.  Shah could face a write-in campaign against him.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s office has not yet commented on the arrest.

The charges, which are merely allegations, could put Shah in prison for twenty years.

Shah is an ally of Prospect Park Mayor Mohamad Khairullah, who issued a statement that stopped short of calling for his resignation or to drop his re-election bid.

“I have been informed of the recent arrest of Councilman Anand Shah in connection with an investigation unrelated to his duties in municipal government. While we do not yet know the full scope or outcome of the legal process ahead, I want to reaffirm that this administration holds all public officials to the highest standards of ethics and accountability,” Khairullah said.  “Our commitment to lawful and transparent governance remains firm.”

“This is undoubtedly a difficult time for Councilman Shah’s family and those close to him,” he said.  “I ask that we allow the legal process to proceed without speculation, and that we respect the privacy of those not involved.  Our focus as a municipal government continues to be serving our residents with integrity, unity, and purpose.”

Last year, Shah faced criticism for allegedly annexing a small piece of publicly-owned land that adjoins his property without paying property taxes.