Calls for resignation of councilman connected to Lucchese Crime Family

A group of elected officials in Prospect Park want Ananad Shah to resign his council seat and drop out of his race for re-election following his arrest last week on racketeering, gambling, and money laundering.

Attorney General Matt Platkin charged Shah with running illegal poker games and an online sportsbook connected to the Lucchese Crime Family.

“While Councilman Shah, like any individual, deserves his day in court and the full protections of due process, the gravity of the charges brought against him cannot be ignored,” said Councilman Robert Artis.  “The judicial process will play out as it should — our obligation as public servants is to protect the integrity of our institutions in the meantime.”

According to Artis, Shah has held some of the municipal government’s most sensitive posts: finance committee chairman and treasurer of the Board of Education.

“The allegations now facing him strike at the very core of public trust,” he said.  “When a person charged with managing taxpayer dollars is implicated in a wide-ranging criminal investigation, we cannot look the other way or offer polite applause for past service.”

Gov. Phil Murphy also called on Shah to step away.

“While the investigation into Councilman Shah is still ongoing, the allegations are concerning and call into question his ability to effectively serve the Prospect Park community,” said Maggie Garbarino, a spokesperson for Murphy.  ” The Governor believes it would be in the community’s best interest for the councilman to resign, effective immediately.”

A close political ally of Shah, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, also called on Shah to step down.

“We acknowledge and deeply appreciate Councilman Shah’s years of service and his unwavering dedication to the residents of Prospect Park. His contributions—both on a municipal and personal level—have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many,” said Khairullah. “However, the seriousness of the charges brought against him has created an unfortunate and ongoing distraction from the vital work we are elected to do on behalf of the community. Our foremost responsibility is to protect the integrity of our government and maintain the trust of the public.”

Shah is unopposed in the June 10 Democratic primary, and with vote-by-mail ballots set to go out on Saturday, there is no time to remove him from the ballot.  He could face a write-in candidate or be replaced after the primary by the local Democratic organization.

Artis is viewed as a potential Democratic primary challenge to Khairullah in 2026.

“Our residents deserve leadership that is not only effective, but above reproach. Continuing to serve in any official capacity under this cloud of suspicion damages the credibility of our governing body and erodes confidence in how we manage both municipal and school finances,” said Artis.   “This is not personal—it is institutional. And the institution must come first.”