At the end of the 20th century, New York City was known for its gangsters and criminal families. One of the most notorious crime bosses not only in New York, but throughout America was John Gotti, the head of the Gambino crime clan. He was also known as “The Teflon Don” because of his ability to avoid conviction by both the public and the law for many years. Read more on newyorkski.info.
A criminal childhood
Gotti was born in NYC in 1940. He grew up in a large family in poverty and misery. From his earliest years, he condemned his father for not being able to feed and provide his family with everything they needed. He also could not pay for Gotti’s school fees. This family situation greatly influenced his future. He often skipped school. If he did go to school, he bullied and insulted children. All this ended with him dropping out of school at the age of 16.
Because of his poverty, Gotti was involved in criminal stories at the age of 12. He repeatedly attempted theft and carjacking and soon became involved in the real mafia, the Gambino family.
The life story of John Gotti
J. Gotti once even tried to get off the criminal path. Once he met a woman he fell in love with, Victoria DiGiorgio. Later, the couple got married. After that, Gotti tried to work legally. He worked for a while as a presser at a coat factory and as a truck driver’s assistant. But since he was still part of the Gambino criminal clan, he could not stay away from illegal activities. He was soon convicted. The first time he was caught was for hijacking a truck. For this he served three years. Then he got two years for murder.
In the 1970s, “The Teflon Don” began to rise in the Gambino family. He became an associate of the family boss Carlo Gambino and quickly gained a reputation as a ruthless mobster and experienced killer.
However, Gotti’s ambition and penchant for violence soon brought him into conflict with other Gambino family members. In 1985, he organized the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano to take control of the family. The brazen murder, which took place outside a steakhouse in Manhattan, made headlines around the world. It cemented J. Gotti’s reputation as a fearless and cunning gangster. “The Teflon Don” and the Gambino crime clan were also involved in:
- Racketeering
- Extortion
- Fraud
- Illegal gambling
- Money laundering
- Murder
- Robbery
- Car theft
- Prostitution and pornography promotion
- Usury.
Despite his criminal reputation, J. Gotti managed to evade prosecution for many years. He was repeatedly acquitted in several high-profile trials in the 1980s and early 1990s. It was for this that he earned the nickname “The Teflon Don”. This is because some members of the public liked Gotti, as he often smiled and waved to the TV cameras during the trial.
In 1992, however, luck turned away from J. Gotti. He was convicted on several charges, including murder and racketeering. He was turned in by his own deputy, Salvatore Gravano. As a result, “The Teflon Don” was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
J. Gotti’s reign as head of the Gambino crime clan was full of violence and intimidation. Throughout the 20th century, he was often in the media spotlight, appearing on talk shows and in magazines. He created the image of a charismatic and influential figure in New York. However, in reality, his activities were associated with bloodshed and cruelty. His name will forever remain synonymous with the dark history of the New York underworld.
While “The Teflon Don” was in prison, the Gambino family underwent significant changes. Despite this, the criminal clan continues to exist in the 21st century. Gotti’s fate turned out to be tragic. In prison, he found out that he had cancer. He even underwent surgery. But the disease returned and Gotti died in 2002.