Wyckoff Couples Indicted in Organized Crime Bust

Four Wyckoff residents are among 34 people indicted Friday in a wide-ranging serious of arrests targeting what New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow says is the Lucchese organized crime family.

Dow said that Joseph M. Perna, 40, of Wyckoff, and his two brothers, who live in West Caldwell, allegedly managed day-to-day gambling operations under their father's oversight. Their father, Ralph V. Perna of East Hanover, who Dow identified as a Lucchese "capo," was also accused of racketeering, conspiracy and money laundering. Two other men who were indicted, Michael A. Cetta, 43, of Wyckoff, and Martin Tacetta, 59, of East Hanover, the former New Jersey underboss for the family, allegedly exercised their own management control over family gambling operations.

Joseph Perna and Michael Cetta are charged with extortion and aggravated assault in connection with alleged threats and attempts to use violence against individuals who owed money or tried to take business away from the gambling operation.

The indictment alleges that Joseph M. Perna and his wife, Roseanna Perna, 36, obtained approximately $900,000 in mortgage funds through fraudulent loan applications. The indictment further charges various tax offenses against the couple, as well as Michael Cetta and Vita Cetta, 41, of Wyckoff.

Read the attorney general's press release: Attorney General Dow Announces Indictment of Lucchese Crime Family Hierarchy, Including Two New York Bosses, New Jersey Leaders and 30 Other Members & Associates.