John Gotti, the most powerful crime boss in the U.S., was well-known for his flamboyant silk suits and colourful personality. The new Netflix documentary series ‘Get Gotti’ will take you down on a ride into the life of a one-of-a-kind Mafia boss.
What do we Know About Him?
John Gotti was the boss of the Gambino Crime Family who was responsible for the death of several of his enemies as well as associates including his former boss Paul Castellano. This also paved his way to take over as the next boss.
The law enforcement officers were trying hard to put Gotti behind bars but he repeatedly slipped out. ‘The Teflon Don’, as he was called for his ability to repeatedly escape the prison through jury tampering and intimidating witnesses. Gotti earned the nickname The Dapper Don for he was always a thug in a great suit and the status he reflected.
How did Gotti Become the Boss?
The Dapper Don paved his way to become the Boss of New York’s Gambino Crime Family by killing Paul Castellano in 1985. He ordered a brutal hit on Castellano in December 1985. The American gangster was responsible for numerous deaths of his associates and enemies which made him the most powerful crime boss of the United States.
On December 16, 1985, Paul Castellano, the apparent successor of Aniello Dellacroce, was gunned down by Thomas Bilotti. Aniello Dellacroce was the boss of the Gambino group before he died.
Gotti was at a safe distance in the car and wanted to be driven close to the crime scene to ensure his deadly orders had been perfectly carried out. This way he eliminated his competition and this became the Boss.
The law enforcement officers were trying hard to put Gotti behind bars but he repeatedly slipped out. ‘The Teflon Don’, as he was called for his ability to repeatedly escape the prison through jury tampering and intimidating witnesses.
What Led to his Capture?
He gained the nickname ‘The Teflon Don’ when the state failed to keep the charges against him stuck. In the 1980’s there were three trials against him and he was acquitted in all of them. The credit goes to his ability to repeatedly escape the prison through jury tampering and intimidating witnesses.
Law enforcement tried hard to gather relevant evidence against Don through wiretaps inside the Ravenite Social Club which was the headquarters of the Gambino crime family.
Once they figured that his underboss Sammy Gravano was the next on the list to be murdered they convinced him to testify against him. Gravano knew too much about the organisation and became a weakling for Gotti.
The American gangster was responsible for numerous deaths of his associates and enemies which made him the most powerful crime boss of the United States.
The Don was convicted of many crimes including five murders along with racketeering and tax evasion. He was sentenced to life imprisonment denying the possibility of parole.
Where is the Gangster Now?
The Teflon Don served his life imprisonment sentence at the United States Penitentiary in Marion before he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998. He was sent to the United States Medical Centre for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri for his treatment. The gangster later succumbed to his ailment and died in 2002.
There were an estimated 300 people that followed him in the funeral procession for he was considered a legend to many of the locals. Despite the heinous crimes he had committed he enjoyed a great following.
Many movies and documentaries have been made on this former Gambino head and recently Netflix has a three-part documentary series. The series is based on how he was finally brought to justice.
What do we Know About John Gotti Jr?
Gotti Jr. was made the acting boss. The Gambino crime family continued to function under him from 1991 to 1999. He was born to John Gotti, The Dapper Don. It was when Father Gotti was sent to prison that john gotti jr. became the acting head.
The younger monster was sent to prison in 1999 on charges of racketeering. Between 2004 and 2009 he had been a defendant in the four racketeering trials but all of them ended in mistrials.
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