John Alite, a former mobster with amazing connections to the notorious John Gotti, has completely swapped sides on the crime—don’t call me a criminal—block. He has since been elected to serve as a councilman in Englishtown, New Jersey. Alite, a Republican, will have his confirmation as a council member vote early next month. His journey from a high-profile figure in organized crime to a legitimate political role raises eyebrows and questions within the community.
Alite established himself as one of the biggest earners for Gotti, then for Gotti Jr. His backstory, rife with ruthless criminal deeds, only deepens his character. He pled guilty to a wide range of racketeering charges, including two murders committed during his nearly 30-year long career in the mob. Once he pleaded guilty, though, he chose to cooperate with the government. His testimony was critical to securing convictions of Gotti Jr. and other underlings, which resulted in substantial jail time for his old mafia buddies.
In an ironic twist of fate, Alite soon found himself fighting legal battles overseas. He fought extradition back to the United States for two years while living in Brazil, during which time he was pushed to his limit. In spite of his chaotic life experiences, Alite has made a positive turn, and he’s written a memoir about it. He becomes widely known with his popular podcast, “Catch Me on the Run.” He’s written few books that translate his life experiences. He’s been featured in a wide range of documentaries. Most recently, he appeared in Netflix’s miniseries “Get Gotti,” which tells the story of the rise and fall of the Gotti family.
Alite is an Albanian-American, whose impressive mathematical skills got him the moniker “the Calculator” back home in Albania. His money man talents were mostly obvious when he moved the coke around during his street life. Now, as a councilman, he aims to bring a fresh perspective to local governance.
In his vision for Englishtown, Alite has expressed a desire for aesthetic improvements, stating, “I want the old-style lights, cobblestone sidewalks, restaurants, a florist, a Dunkin’ Donuts. What was the old mayor and council doing all these years?” His plans reveal a passion for modernization that’s tempered by a nostalgic longing for the beauty and quaintness the town once held.
There have been hitches, and not all residents have been as welcoming of Alite’s new role. One born-and-bred Englishtown resident remained dubious about his history, declaring “No, we don’t want to hear about all that! At the same time, this sentiment reveals the schisms that continue to run through the community as Alite’s metamorphosis from mobster to politician is explored.
Alite’s reasons for getting into politics are intensely personal. He’s obviously very much dedicated to the safety of his community and preventing the use of these drugs. This commitment comes after the traumatic death of his 20-year-old daughter, Chelsea Alite, to an overdose of fentanyl-laced Percocet three years ago. He remarked, “I live in a community and I want the community to be safe, because I know about that – obviously. I want it to be drug-free as much as possible, because I lost my daughter to fentanyl.”
…Alite’s idealistic vision for government is heavily colored by his past experiences. For his part, he’s been out there calling attention to what he sees as systemic corruption in our political institutions. “People ask me why would you want to be a politician, and I tell them: because most of them are corrupt and now I’m not, so I can see what they’re doing and I’ll fight what they’re doing,” he stated. Adding to this outlook, it would seem, is his conviction that he can effect transformation first and foremost from personal experience of gangsterism as well as statesmanship.
His reflections on the federal government expose a happy warrior’s tortured history, conflicted relationship built by his formative years. “John Gotti Sr., who I knew as a kid, used to tell me all the time: the government is the mafia. I would laugh and thought he was nuts, but later on I learned he was absolutely right,” Alite remarked, showcasing how his early influences continue to shape his worldview.
As he prepares for confirmation next month, Alite faces scrutiny and skepticism from some community members while garnering support from others who see potential for reform in local governance. His journey continues to be a model for redemption and reinvention in the face of scandal.