Fourteen men have been charged for their roles in a multi-million-dollar illegal sports betting ring operated by a member and associates of organized crime, law enforcement authorities in New Jersey announced on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Joseph “Little Joe” Perna, a member of the Lucchese crime family, and his sons, stepson and nephews, among others, have been charged with racketeering, conspiracy, gambling offenses and money laundering.
According to authorities, the 55-year-old Perna oversaw a nationwide network of bookmakers that transferred approximately $2 million in suspected gambling transactions between 2022 and 2024.
Among those involved in the enterprise were college athletes, who allegedly helped operate the sportsbooks.
Former Rutgers wrestlers Michael Cetta and Nicholas Raimo were among those charged. The 23-year-old Cetta, who earned at-large selection to the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships, wrapped up his career earlier this year. The 25-year-old Raimo, who began his career at Arizona State, last competed for the school in 2023. Both have been charged with racketeering, conspiracy, promoting gambling by bookmaking, possession of gambling records and money laundering.
An NCAA spokesperson told ESPN that it is aware of the charges and is looking into the case.
“We may all think that the portrayal of organized crime we remember from movies and television shows and books no longer exists, but we are announcing charges today that allege it still does,” said New Jersey attorney general Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement. “Despite the proliferation of legal betting of all kinds, gambling remains a mainstay of members and associates of organized crime. The locations and methods may have evolved, but illegal gambling – in this case, sports betting – remains a problem, and we will charge those who seek to profit from it.”
