10 Defendants Indicted for Racketeering and Operating Brothel in Sayreville Strip Club
State Grand Jury Indicts Seven Individuals and Three Corporate Entities in Connection with Alleged Prostitution Ring at New Jersey Strip Club
TRENTON – In a major development, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced today that a state grand jury has returned a 21-count superseding indictment against seven individuals and three corporate entities. This indictment follows a thorough investigation into an alleged long-standing family-operated prostitution ring at Club XXXV in Sayreville, New Jersey. The investigation revealed that the strip club, located along Route 35, not only operated as a typical establishment but also served as a house of prostitution, generating millions of dollars in illicit revenue for the defendants. To conceal the true source of their funds, the defendants utilized multiple bank accounts under their control. The Attorney General stated, “Our investigation determined that the operators of Club XXXV were using various illegal means to turn their club into a multimillion-dollar racket. We allege that these defendants enriched themselves unlawfully, masked the illicit sources of their income, and generated a host of quality-of-life issues for the residents of their community.” Thomas Eicher, Executive Director of OPIA, added, “Law enforcement will not look the other way when a business crosses one line after another, in pursuit of obscene and ill-gotten profits.”
The criminal charges were filed on November 13, 2023, against Anthony Acciardi Sr., Doreen Acciardi, Stephen Acciardi, and Anthony Acciardi Jr., all residents of Freehold Township and Old Bridge, New Jersey, respectively. These individuals either owned or managed Club XXXV. Other alleged co-conspirators, including Jennifer Hecker, a club employee and dancer, Jeannine Nichols, a club manager and the sister of Doreen Acciardi, and Jason Portes, Nichols’ husband and also a manager at Club XXXV, were also charged. Additionally, three corporate entities, namely Acciboys, LLC, 35 Club, LLC, and Alana, Inc., were indicted. The investigation revealed that the defendants failed to report the proceeds from their illegal prostitution operation as taxable income. Moreover, they established corporate entities to disguise the origins of the money. The investigation further uncovered the illegal sale of alcohol on Club XXXV’s premises, in violation of state regulations. Although the business is BYOB (bring your own bottle), the defendants allegedly sold various types of liquor that were concealed in a rear shed on the property.
The initial arrests were made on May 12, 2021, when the Sayreville Police, in coordination with the Middlesex County Guns, Gangs and Drugs Task Force and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, executed search warrants at Club XXXV. This action was prompted by numerous complaints of prostitution occurring at the establishment between 2019 and 2021. Subsequently, the case was taken over by the OPIA Corruption Bureau. Evidence seized from the search included hundreds of condoms, lubricant, and sex toys. Additionally, computer hard drives found at the club were examined and revealed extensive video surveillance footage from security cameras throughout the premises, including the VIP section. This footage depicted various dancers engaging in sexual acts with patrons in the VIP rooms. The search also yielded a large bag containing approximately 700 condoms. In the club’s locker room, a vending machine stocked with condoms was discovered, available for purchase by the dancers.
Bank records obtained during the investigation demonstrated that since 2015, the defendants maintained personal and business accounts associated with several enterprises, including Club 35, LLC, and Acciboys, LLC. Over $10 million was deposited and withdrawn from these accounts since 2017. The investigation revealed that certain defendants significantly underreported their income on state tax returns in an attempt to evade taxes and conceal the proceeds of their criminal activities. During the execution of authorized search warrants, law enforcement officers recovered substantial amounts of cash, gold, and silver from the residences of the Acciardis. Approximately $140,000 in cash, $283,000 in gold, and $297,000 in silver were seized from the home of Doreen Acciardi and Anthony Acciardi Sr. Moreover, $117,000 in cash, $61,000 in silver, and $47,000 in gold were found at the residence of Anthony Acciardi Jr.
The defendants now face a range of charges, including racketeering, conspiracy, promoting prostitution, financial facilitation of criminal activity, and various tax-related offenses. The severity of the charges varies, with first-degree charges carrying a sentence of 10 to 20 years in New Jersey state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree offenses could lead to up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
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