Ex-mafia hitman turned NJ councilman John Alite arrested on loan sharking charges

Former mafia hitman turned suburban New Jersey town councilman John Alite has been arrested on loansharking charges.

The 63-year-old former Gambino family enforcer and former confidant of John Gotti Jr. was arrested on Friday on multiple counts of theft by extortion, corporate misconduct, usury, and terroristic threats, according to the New Jersey State Attorney General.

Wild Ring camera footage of the moments before the arrest showed a brigade of New Jersey police in SWAT gear marching down the sleepy Englishtown, New Jersey, street just after 5 a.m., on the way to Alite’s home.

Stephen Locrotondo, 67, of Bridgewater NJ, was also arrested and charged with usury and conspiracy as part of the alleged scheme.

“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.

The former hitman, who copped to six murders and multiple other felonies in 2008, had apparently turned over a new leaf and was last year appointed to a vacant seat on the Englishtown council.

“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 getting appointed in March 2025.

Fellow Englishtown borough council members expressed surprise that Alite had been pinched 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.