Former Mafia Hitman Arrested in Loan Sharking Case
John Allite, who once worked as a hitman for the mafia, now serving as a town councilman in suburban New Jersey, has been arrested on loan sharking charges.
The 63-year-old, previously associated with the Gambino crime family and known as a confidant of John Gotti Jr., was taken into custody last Friday. He faces several serious charges, including extortion, corporate fraud, loan sharking, and making terroristic threats, according to the New Jersey attorney general’s office.
Surveillance footage captured moments before his arrest showed a group of New Jersey State Police in SWAT gear making their way down a quiet street in Englishtown around 5 a.m., heading towards Allite’s residence.
Another individual, Stephen Locrotondo, 67, from Bridgewater, New Jersey, was also charged in connection with the loan sharking scheme.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport stated, “Our office is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses act fairly and lawfully. The alleged conduct in this case is unacceptable, and we will strive to hold accountable those involved in fraud and theft.”
Allite’s lawyer, Douglas Santon, expressed confidence in his client’s innocence. “John has led a law-abiding life since leaving that lifestyle nearly two decades ago,” he mentioned. He noted that Allite is politically outspoken and that sometimes this invites scrutiny from those in power.
“We are absolutely confident that John will be acquitted very soon,” Santon added.
Once a criminal with six murders and numerous felonies to his name in 2008, Allite has sought redemption, having been appointed to the Englishtown City Council last year. “I believe I’m capable of good. I want to make amends with my life,” he stated following his appointment in March 2025.
Members of the Englishtown Borough Council seemed taken aback by the news of his arrest. “I really can’t comment on it yet; I’m surprised, as he was seen as a good citizen and councilman,” remarked Councilwoman Janet Leonardis.
Mayor Daniel Francisco also refrained from jumping to conclusions. “All Americans, including John, have the right to due process. I will wait for the facts to emerge, and he deserves to be presumed innocent as this unfolds,” he said.
Allite had faced a 10-year prison sentence in 2011 but was released early on supervised release in 2012 after becoming a cooperating witness.
In a notable estrangement, Gotti Jr. had criticized Allite in 2016, describing him as “one of the most shameless humans God created,” insinuating that Allite misuses his former associations to further his own agenda.
At this point, Allite has not made any public comments regarding his recent arrest.
