New Jersey Republican with mafia rap sheet arrested for loan sharking

A Republican town official in New Jersey with a colorful history that includes ties to the mafia and a 14-year prison sentence for murder told constituents he was now on the straight and narrow — but now he's been arrested again.

According to the New Jersey Globe, John Alite, who was appointed to serve on the Englishtown council last year, "made loans that exceeded the maximum legal rate and later threatened to commit violent acts to obtain property and cash," per charges brought by state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. He faces charges of theft by extortion, corporate misconduct, usury, and terroristic threats — and Davenport "also accused Alite of misusing a business he owns, Straightened-Out Entertainment, as part of the scheme."

“Our office is dedicated to ensuring that all businesses conduct themselves fairly and lawfully," said Davenport in announcing the charges. "The conduct alleged in this case was anything but, and we will work to hold those who cheat and steal accountable.”

Criminal involvement would not be a first time issue for Alite.

As The Guardian noted last year, Alite "once served as a top 'earner' for John 'the Teflon Don' Gotti, and later for his son John Gotti Jr.," some of the most infamous American mafia bosses, and he was "nicknamed 'the Calculator' because of his financial acumen in helping to move 8kg of cocaine a month."

However, after being caught in Brazil, "Alite turned cooperating government witness against the younger Gotti, and pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, including two murders."

After serving his time, Alite insisted he wanted simply to put his experience in organized crime to do honest work in politics.

"People ask me why? I tell them I have more experience than all these politicians," he said when he was first appointed. “Plus I’m not a criminal any more – I’m on a mission to do things the right way.”