On this day, Oct. 18, 1999, John “Junior” Gotti, who led the Gambino crime family while his father was locked away, entered prison himself after pleading guilty to racketeering.
Junior’s father, John J. Gotti (also known as the “Dapper Don”), was the most powerful crime boss of his era. Prosecutors said Gotti made Junior the head of the family and used a committee of captains to help him. As the one of the few people allowed to visit his father, Junior Gotti could pass on his father’s orders to the family organization.
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In 1997, FBI agents searched Junior’s property and found a typed list of the names of “made” members of the Gambino family and other contraband. The New York media nicknamed Junior the “Dumbfella.”
Against his parents’ wishes, Junior pleaded to bribery, extortion, gambling and fraud and served six years in prison.
Gotti, 45, is currently on trial in Manhattan on racketeering charges. He interrupted the trial last week by screaming “You’re a punk!” at his friend and former mobster who testified against him.
— Scott McCabe
