New Jersey councilman jailed for alleged loansharking
Englishtown Councilman John Alite once served 14 years in prison following a conviction as a mob enforcer. A year ago, he won a seat as a councilman while saying he had transformed his life. But now he's facing extortion charges.
More Stories
John Alite has been arrested again. The Englishtown councilman and former convicted Gambino Crime Family enforcer is facing multiple charges from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
Alite has been in custody since being arrested at his Englishtown home on Friday. His house sits a few doors down from Borough Hall, where he won a seat as councilman last year.
Alite was not at his home on Monday. He's still in the Bergen County Jail waiting for a judge to decide if he can be released.
Alite is charged with theft by extortion, corporate misconduct, and usury, more commonly known as loansharking. It is when someone is offered a loan with an outrageously high interest rate.
Concerning that charge, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a statement that Alite, "subsequently obtained the property and monies of victims by threatening to commit violent acts. He is also alleged to have misused his corporation, Straightened-Out Entertainment, Inc., to promote his criminal scheme.”
Alite served 14 years in prison after getting caught up in a wide-reaching mob bust for extortion, murder and drugs. But he eventually turned on the mob and testified against the Gotti family to get his freedom.
Alite invited News 12 New Jersey into his home a year ago when he won a seat as councilman. News 12 spoke with him about transforming his life and politics.
“I hate to say this, but I think 70% of them are corrupt. I think their agenda, they’re still committing crimes. I stopped committing them a while ago," Alite said at the time.
Englishtown Mayor Daniel Francisco weighed in.
“I will not rush to judgment before the facts are known, and he is entitled to a presumption of innocence while the judicial process unfolds," said Francisco.
The mayor also said that based on what he knows, the allegations are not related to the operations within the borough.
RELATED: Former Gambino crime family member appointed to NJ council
