Written by :
Published on :
Jack Alite is a former Gambino crime family associate with deep ties to illegal bookmaking
He once claimed to have committed 15 murders, shot 30 to 40 people and beaten more than one hundred others with pipes and baseball bats
In March 2025, he was appointed a councilman in Englishtown, New Jersey, as a member of the Republican Party
A former mob enforcer who became a New Jersey councilman has been arrested for alleged extortion.
John Alite, 63, is a former mobster and Gambino crime family associate, who turned government witness and in 2008, testified against the crime family and its former acting boss, John A. "Junior" Gotti.
Alite pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, including two murders and a variety of other crimes, and, in 2011, was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison.
Alite once claimed to have committed 15 murders, shot 30 to 40 people and beaten more than one hundred others with pipes and baseball bats.
He also has deep historical ties to sports betting through illegal mob bookmaking operations.
His cooperation allowed for a five-year supervised release in 2012
Later in life, Alite denounced the mob and became a motivational speaker.
In March 2025, he was appointed a councilman in Englishtown, New Jersey, as a member of the Republican Party.
He was selected to fill a vacant council seat after a resignation. Local Republican officials chose him as the replacement, and he was then sworn into office by the borough. Multiple reports at the time described the position as an appointment to fill an unexpired term.
Alice was charged Friday with multiple counts of extortion, corporate misconduct and other charges, New Jersey's Attorney General said in a news release.
Officials allege Alite made loans outside of the maximum legal rate and then threatened the debtors with violent acts if they didn't hand over money and property. Prosecutors allege Alite also used his business, Straightened-Out Entertainment, Inc., to promote the scheme.
"These arrests are the result of rigorous investigative work and the strong cooperation between the Division of Criminal Justice and New Jersey State Police, who work tirelessly every day in the pursuit of justice," said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. "Our office is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses conduct themselves fairly and lawfully. The conduct alleged in this case was anything but, and we will work to hold those who cheat and steal accountable."
An Albanian-American from Queens, Alite has long had ties to organized crime, as the top enforcer for the infamous Gotti crime family and a longtime member of the Gambino family.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
