Fourteen people, including New Jersey student athletes, are facing charges for their roles in a multimillion-dollar sports betting ring operating in Essex and Bergen counties, officials said Thursday, Nov. 13.

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

Fourteen people, including multiple former high school and college wrestlers, are facing charges for their roles in a multimillion-dollar sports betting ring operated by members of the Lucchese crime family, officials said Thursday, Nov. 13.

The head of the illegal operation was identified as Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, 55, of Fairfield, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

Officials said Perna acted as the “financier,” with daily sportsbook operations handled by his son, Joseph R. Perna, 25, of Oakland, a former Ramapo HS wrestler. Additional agents included Anthony Perna, 23, of Oakland; Frank Zito, 23, of Fairfield (former Bergen Catholic football player); Dominic Perna, 23, of Newark; and Michael Cetta, 23, of North Haledon (former Rutgers University and St. Joe's Montvale wrestler).

Authorities also identified high-level agents Tyler Schnorrbusch, 23, of Wyckoff (former Ramapo HS athlete); Nicholas Raimo, 25, of East Hanover (former Rutgers/Hanover Park wrestler and owner of Ruthless Wrestling Club); Joseph Janish, 23, of North Caldwell; William Medeiros, 22, of North Kingstown, RI; Spencer Speziale, 22, of Wyckoff; and Devon Shuster, 28, of Gainesville, FL.

In November and December 2023, Perna’s wife Kim Zito, 53, of Fairfield, allegedly received several payments derived from illegal gambling, according to investigators. In April 2025, Perna’s ex-wife Rosanna Magno, 52, of Oakland, allegedly attempted to conceal gambling ledgers during an investigative stop, officials said.

According to court documents, the New Jersey State Police Port Investigations Unit began investigating the illegal betting enterprise in January 2024. Officials said the enterprise operated out of Essex and Bergen counties and “systematically enticed individuals to place bets,” using the illicit proceeds to enrich members of the group.

Student athletes were among those who allegedly operated sportsbooks for the Perna enterprise.

Between 2022 and 2024, the enterprise transferred about $2 million in suspected gambling transactions, investigators said.

Perna is charged along with his sons, stepson, nephews and others with racketeering, conspiracy, gambling offenses and money laundering, the Attorney General’s Office said. Perna’s wife and ex-wife are also charged independently of the racketeering scheme.

This isn't the first time a Lucchese crime family ring was dismantled in New Jersey this year.

In April, 39 people, including mob leaders, poker club managers, sportsbook agents, and even a sitting Prospect Park councilman, were charged in an underground gambling empire allegedly run by members of the Lucchese Crime Family, as previously reported by Daily Voice.