John Alite, a former mafia hitman who later became a town councilman in suburban New Jersey, has been arrested on allegations tied to loansharking.
Alite, 63, a onetime Gambino crime family enforcer and former associate of John Gotti Jr., was taken into custody Friday on several charges, including theft by extortion, corporate misconduct, usury and terroristic threats, according to the New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office.
Ring camera video captured the dramatic moments leading up to the arrest, showing a line of New Jersey police officers in SWAT gear moving down a quiet street in Englishtown shortly after 5 a.m. as they headed toward Alite’s home.
Authorities also arrested Stephen Locrotondo, 67, of Bridgewater, N.J., who was charged with usury and conspiracy in connection with the alleged operation.
“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,” Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a statement Saturday.
Alite, who admitted in 2008 to six murders and a range of other felony offenses, had presented himself in recent years as a reformed figure. Last year, he was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Englishtown Borough Council.
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“You know what? I can really do some good. I already had a bad past, and I’m here to redeem my whole life, and I would like to go out doing everything in a positive way,” Alite told The Post after his appointment in March 2025.
Other members of the Englishtown Borough Council said they were surprised to learn that Alite had been arrested by state police.
“I absolutely have no idea what that’s about, so I can’t comment. I can tell you I’m surprised because he’s been an excellent citizen and councilman,” Councilwoman Janet Leonardis told NJ.com.
Englishtown Mayor Daniel Francisco also refrained from jumping to conclusions and expressed tepid support for Alite.
“Every American is entitled to due process, including John. I will not rush to judgement before the facts are known, and he is entitled to a presumption of innocence while the judicial process unfolds,” Francisco told NJ.com.
Alite was sentenced to 10 years in 2011 but was let out in 2012 on supervised release after he became a cooperating witness.
Gotti Jr., who was a close friend of Alite in the 80s and 90s, had harsh words for Alite in 2016, telling The Post, “He is one of the most shameless human beings that God has created… He uses the Gotti theme to enhance his career.”
Alite could not immediately be reached for comment.
