John Alite, a borough council member in Englishtown, N.J., since 2025, has faced recent legal challenges after working to distance himself from his past mistakes. Alite, known for his history as a Gambino crime family associate, often shared online about moving away from his former mob life.
On June 20, 2026, Alite was arrested in New Jersey on Friday for charges including extortion and terroristic threats. The state’s attorney general announced that Alite, once a hit man, now faces multiple legal issues. These include theft by extortion, corporate misconduct, making terroristic threats, and usury—which involves lending money at illegal interest rates.
At 63, Alite was previously incarcerated for killing at least two individuals while working with John A. Gotti. After being released in 2012, he aimed to reform his image. He was sworn in as a council member for Englishtown, N.J., a borough located roughly 40 miles south of Newark, in March 2025.
The accusations include Alite’s involvement in granting loans with interest rates exceeding 50 percent per year. Prosecutors alleged that, along with Stephen Locrotondo, 67, Alite threatened victims to extract money and property through violence. His company, Straightened-Out Entertainment, was used to perpetuate the scheme, reportedly netting him over $75,000.
Alite’s legal representation did not respond to requests for comments on Saturday.
“Our office is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses conduct themselves fairly and lawfully,” stated Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey’s attorney general. She emphasized the alleged misconduct in this case and the commitment to accountability for those who deceive or steal.
Court documents revealed that Alite obtained a residential property from one victim through these tactics. The charges against him stem from testimonies of two individuals, who claim Alite threatened violent crimes, showing reckless disregard for the risk of causing terror.