Former Gambino associate turned New Jersey councilman accused of running loansharking ring while in office

A erstwhile subordinate of the Gambino transgression family-turned New Jersey councilman was arrested connected loansharking and extortion charges aft allegedly moving an amerciable loansharking ringing portion successful office.

Councilman John Alite, 63, of Englishtown, was arrested connected Friday and charged with aggregate counts of theft by extortion, firm misconduct, usury and terroristic threats, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's office. A 2nd suspect, Stephen Locrotondo, 67, was arrested connected usury and conspiracy charges.

Officials accidental that Alite and Locrotondo worked unneurotic to springiness loans with utmost involvement rates, portion Alite would allegedly endanger "to perpetrate convulsive acts" successful bid to cod outgo from victims. Alite is besides accused of utilizing his company, Straightened-Out Entertainment, Inc., to "promote his transgression scheme."

SAMMY 'THE BULL' REVEALS WHY HIS LOVE FOR JOHN GOTTI TURNED INTO PRISON HATE

Englishtown Councilman John Alite, a erstwhile Gambino transgression household associate, allegedly ran an amerciable loanshark ringing portion successful office. (Thomas P. Costello/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

"These arrests are the effect of rigorous investigative enactment and the beardown practice betwixt the Division of Criminal Justice and New Jersey State Police, who enactment tirelessly each time successful the pursuit of justice," New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said successful a statement. "Our bureau is dedicated to ensuring that each businesses behaviour themselves reasonably and lawfully. The behaviour alleged successful this lawsuit was thing but, and we volition enactment to clasp those who cheat and bargain accountable."

Alite was arrested connected charges including extortion and conspiracy connected June 19, 2026. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

Alite was appointed to capable a vacant spot connected Englishtown's municipality assembly successful 2025, astir 15 years aft helium was sentenced to 10 years successful situation connected racketeering charges. He was antecedently linked to the Gambino transgression household and the ex-confidant of John Gotti Jr.

MIKE ‘THE SITUATION’ SORRENTINO DISCUSSES ADDICTION RECOVERY, POTENTIAL RUN FOR OFFICE IN NEW JERSEY

"Every American is entitled to owed process, including John. I volition not unreserved to judgement earlier the facts are known, and helium is entitled to a presumption of innocence portion the judicial process unfolds," Englishtown Mayor Daniel Francisco told Fox News Digital successful a statement. "Based connected presently disposable information, these allegations are not related to the operations wrong our Borough, and so volition beryllium resolved extracurricular of it. In the meantime, our Borough remains focused connected serving our residents, advancing downtown development, and delivering 2 large assemblage events this summer."

Englishtown Councilman John Alite speaks to a nonmigratory astatine the Englishtown Municipal Building successful Englishtown, N.J., connected March 21, 2025. (Olivia Liu/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

It is chartless whether Alite volition enactment successful his spot during the investigation. Mayor Francisco said, "John is an elected authoritative chosen by the voters past year. The determination to proceed successful the presumption rests solely connected him. The Borough and the assembly person nary ineligible authorization implicit his seat."

Fox News Digital reached retired to Alite's lawyer, Thomas R. Calcagni, for comment.