New Jersey authorities have charged Kim Zito and Rosanna Magno, the wife and ex-wife respectively of alleged Lucchese crime family soldier Joseph “Little Joe” Perna, in a massive illegal sports betting ring. Prosecutors say the operation handled about $2 million in bets between 2022 and 2024.
What makes this case especially striking is how these women presented themselves publicly: suburban moms living in upscale homes — Zito in Fairfield (worth ~$800,000) and Magno in Oakland (worth ~$700,000) — while allegedly helping to channel money from a mafia-linked gambling enterprise.
Key Details:
- The betting operation was reportedly funded by Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, identified by law enforcement as a Lucchese crime family soldier.
- Their sons, Frank Zito, Anthony Magno, and Joseph R. Perna, allegedly managed parts of the sportsbook network.
- Prosecutors claim Kim Zito accepted illegal gambling proceeds, while Magno tried to hide betting ledgers during a traffic stop.
- The case involves a total of 14 people, including other family members and associates, all facing racketeering and gambling-related charges.
Why It Matters:
- This bust highlights how organized crime may still leverage family ties in modern illegal gambling schemes — even in the era of legal sports betting.
- The case raises questions about how deeply mafia-linked operations are embedded in suburban life, far from stereotypical mob enclaves.
- It could prompt renewed scrutiny of illegal offshore betting platforms and how law enforcement tracks money through family networks.
Conclusion:
What seemed like an ordinary suburban life masks a deeper, darker reality. With Kim Zito and Rosanna Magno now facing serious criminal charges, this case underscores how organized crime can infiltrate seemingly mundane family structures — and how illegal gambling still thrives under the radar, even in states with legal sports betting.
