Bergen councilman pleads guilty to role in Lucchese gambling ring

A Bergen councilman has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a Lucchese gambling ring. Authorities state that the illegal gambling operation helped fund the councilman's campaign operations. As a result of these admissions, the official has forfeited his current office and is permanently barred from holding any public office in the future. The case highlights the intersection of organized crime and local political funding within the state of New Jersey.