Mafia Boss John Gotti's Story 'Teflon Don' With All His Crimes

John Gotti alias Teflon Don (Sumber: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Hundreds of John Gotti supporters stormed in moments after a federal court judge in Brooklyn read out a life sentence for John Gotti. The mafia boss nicknamed 'Teflon Don' was found guilty of 14 conspiracies, murders and extortion.

Gotti's supporters also overturned and destroyed the car before being forced to retreat by police reinforcements. Before his sentencing, Gotti escaped various court snares during the 1980s.

Teflon Don's nickname for Gotti is due to his strength. So powerful, the combined U.S. law enforcement agencies were unable to make allegations against him.

Gotti also managed to avoid punishment several times. That's because he and his men often intimidate witnesses, until witnesses are frightened or change their testimony.

Who is John Gotti aka Teflon Don?

Visiting History, June 23, Gotti was born and educated on the cruel streets of New York. Gotti has eleven sisters and a son. His father rarely worked and spent the money the family had to gamble.

Gotti became the head of the powerful Gambino family, after his boss, Paul Castellano, was assassinated in front of a steakhouse in Manhattan in December 1985. The first gang murder in three decades in New York, 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 past five years, Gotti has rapidly expanded his criminal empire. Kaluarga Gambino grew into the most powerful mafia in the US.

Gotti killed his boss?

In 1990, Gotti's escape stalled. He was charged with conspiracy to murder in the death of Paul Castellano, who was his own boss.

His partner so far, Gravano, agreed to testify against Gotti in federal district court. But it's not free.

Gravano agreed in exchange for his prison sentence being reduced. During the trial, Salvatore Gravano said Gotti was involved in ten murders.

Gravano also recounted how in 1985, in front of a steakhouse in Manhattan, he and Gotti witnessed the murder of Paul Castellano, the head of the Gambino family at the time. On April 2, 1992, Gotti was found guilty of all charges.

And on June 23, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Gotti's other closest associate, Frank Locascio, was also sentenced to life.

He was found guilty of the same charge. Gotti and Locascio were also fined $250,000.

Gotti declined to give details after being sentenced to life. However, Locascio said while in a packed courtroom that he was innocent of all charges.

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

While still in prison, Gotti died of throat cancer on June 10, 2002. Salvatore Gravano, meanwhile, was released after five years in prison, though he was later jailed again for drug trafficking in Arizona, according to 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.

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