To many people, especially New Jerseyans, the terms "organized crime" and "the Mafia" conjure thoughts of fictionalized entertainment such as "The Godfather" or "The Sopranos."

Attorney General Matthew Platkin acknowledged as much when he detailed the arrest of 14 people Nov. 13 in an alleged illegal sports betting ring.

"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,” Platkin said.

The attorney general made a similar reference in April when he announced charges against 39 people , including members of the Lucchese crime family, for their alleged roles in a large-scale illegal gambling operation. The November operation was also linked to the

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