The Breakdown Of John Gotti's 'Teflon Don' Power Under The Testimony Of His Own Companion

JAKARTA - Mafia boss, John Gotti, nicknamed 'Teflon Don' was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of 14 conspiracy to murder and extortion. Before being sentenced, Gotti had escaped various trial traps during the 1980s. Gotti's nickname 'Teflon Don' was due to his strength. So strong was that the combined US law enforcement agencies were unable to make accusations against him.

Moments after his sentence was read out in federal court in Brooklyn, hundreds of Gotti's supporters stormed the courthouse. They also overturned and destroyed the car before being forced back by police reinforcements.

Launching History, June 23, Gotti was born and educated on the streets of cruel New York. Gotti has eleven sisters and brothers. His father rarely worked and spent the money the family had on gambling.

Gotti became head of the powerful Gambino family, after his boss, Paul Castellano, was murdered in front of a Manhattan steakhouse in December 1985. The first gang murder in three decades in New York, was organized by Gotti and his partner Sammy "the Bull" Gravano.

The Gambino family is notorious for illegal narcotics operations, gambling activities and car theft. Over the course of five years, Gotti rapidly expanded his criminal empire. The Gambino family grew to become the most powerful mafia in the US.

Despite the widespread publication of his criminal activities, Gotti managed to evade punishment several times. This is because he and his subordinates often intimidated witnesses, so that they became afraid or changed their testimony.

However, in 1990, Gotti's escape was stopped. He has been charged with conspiring to murder in the death of Paul Castellano, who was his own boss. His partner, Gravano, agreed to testify against Gotti in federal district court. However, not free of charge, Gravano agreed to reduce his prison sentence in return.

During the trial, Salvatore Gravano said Gotti was involved in ten murders. Gravano also told how in 1985, in front of a steakhouse in Manhattan, he and Gotti witnessed the murder of Paul Castellano, the then head of the Gambino family.

On April 2, 1992, Gotti was found guilty on all counts. And on June 23, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Gotti's other closest colleague, Frank Locascio, was also sentenced to life. He was found guilty of the same charges. Gotti and Locascio were also fined US $ 250 thousand.

Gotti refused to provide information after being sentenced to life in prison. However, Locascio said while in a crowded courtroom that he was not guilty of all charges.

"However, I am guilty of being a good friend of John Gotti. And if there were more people like John Gotti on this earth, we would have a better country," he said.

While still incarcerated, Gotti died of throat cancer on June 10, 2002. Meanwhile, Salvatore Gravano was released after five years in prison, although later imprisoned again for selling drugs in Arizona, based on evidence from an informant in his own organization.

John Gotti's son, John Gotti Jnr, took over running the Gambino family business. However, he was jailed in 1999 for bribery, extortion, gambling and fraud.