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The New Jersey State Police, the Division of Criminal Justice, and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced charges against 14 people for their roles in a multimillion-dollar sports betting ring involving members of organized crime.

Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, 55, of Fairfield, N.J., is the alleged head of the illegal operation and has been identified as a member of the Lucchese crime family, according to a news release from the Office of the Attorney General.

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

“We may all think that the portrayal of organized crime we r

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