Trucking company used to hide illegal gambling proceeds for Lucchese crime family, New Jersey AG says
New Jersey officials say that a trucking company admitted to helping to conceal gambling proceeds for a criminal racketeering, gambling, and money laundering operation.
Trucking Company Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy
On June 23, 2026, the New Jersey Office of Attorney General (NJ OAG), the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) announced that Frasso Trucking was among the people and organizations that pleaded guilty to criminal activity associated with a New Jersey-based faction of the Lucchese family.
Officials said that Frasso Trucking pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy for anti-money laundering profiteering, with an assigned penalty of $250,000.
The trucking company was used by Michael and Gerard Frasso to conceal illegal gambling proceeds, the NJ OAG stated.
Illegal Poker & Sportsbook Operation Tied to Crime Family
The NJ OAG said that a total of eight people and three companies pleaded guilty to their respective roles in operating illegal poker games and an online sportsbook in association with the Lucchese crime family.
“The leadership of the New Jersey-based faction of the Lucchese family allegedly oversaw the gambling activities and received a portion of the criminal proceeds. The investigation resulted in the identification of $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds. Members of the criminal enterprise used multiple shell corporations and legitimate businesses to conceal their illegal gambling proceeds,” officials said in a news release announcing the guilty pleas.
New Jersey AG Obtains Multiple Guilty Pleas
Other defendants who pleaded guilty include:
- Wayne D. Cross, a Lucchese associate, pleaded guilty to third-degree promoting gambling in exchange for a recommended sentence of five years in state prison.
- Michael P. Frasso, 48, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey was a sportsbook agent and pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering (seven years recommended), third-degree failure to pay income tax (three years recommended), and third-degree corporate misconduct (five years recommended), for an aggregate recommendation of 15 years.
- Frank Imparato, 46, of Saddle Brook, New Jersey was a poker club manager and pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy (four years recommended).
- Joseph Gossweiler, 41, of Florham Park, New Jersey was a sportsbook sub-agent/poker club manager and pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy to promote gambling in the third degree (364 days probation recommended)
- Peter Norcia, 50, of Toms River, New Jersey, was an agent on the sportsbook and pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy to promote gambling (four years recommended).
- Café Gio was a corporation used by Frank Imparato to facilitate illegal gambling and pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy (penalty of $250,000).
- CJW Development and Consulting was a corporation used by Wayne Cross to conceal gambling proceeds and pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy for anti-money laundering profiteering (penalty of $250,000).
Additionally, George Zappola, Joseph R. Perna, and John G. Perna, described as “high-level managers of the criminal enterprise and allegedly members of the Lucchese Crime Family” pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering in exchange for recommended sentences of seven years in state prison.
Dozens Indicted Since 2025
Since April 2025, 42 people have been indicted following a two-year investigation into this case.
Between October 2025 and June 2026, an additional 27 people pleaded guilty to crimes associated with this gambling enterprise.
What Are They Saying?
“By pleading guilty, the defendants have formally accepted responsibility for participating in a criminal enterprise that caused significant harm to individuals and communities,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Illegal gambling operations exploit vulnerable people, money laundering fuels further criminal activity, and racketeering networks undermine the safety and stability of our neighborhoods. This outcome is a direct result of the exceptional work of State Police detectives, whose ability to trace the financial trails, uncover the enterprise’s structure, and follow the evidence wherever it led built a comprehensive and compelling case. Their work not only brought those responsible to justice but also reinforces our ongoing commitment to protecting the public and safeguarding the integrity of our communities.”
“The guilty pleas we accepted today represent another important step in dismantling this criminal enterprise and holding the individuals involved accountable,” said New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “Organized crime has no place in New Jersey. For decades, the Attorney General’s Office has been a leader in rooting out organized crime in New Jersey, and we continue to play that important role to keep New Jersey safe.”