A suspected mafia member and several family members in New Jersey are among 14 people charged Thursday in connection with an alleged multi-million dollar illegal gambling ring involving student athletes.

Joseph M. "Little Joe" Perna, 55, an alleged member of the Lucchese crime family, was charged with racketeering, conspiracy, gambling offenses, and money laundering, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said in a statement.

Police and prosecutors allege that a "nationwide web" of bookmakers was directed by Joseph M. Perna, under the daily direction of his son, Joseph R. Perna, 25, who is charged with running dozens of what authorities called "subordinate agents."

Several of those alleged agents were also charged, including another of Joseph Perna’s sons, Anthony R. Perna, 23; Perna’

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