JOHN GOTTI JR.: John Gotti Jr. was born October 27, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. His days of crime started when he joined street gangs and committed petty thefts as a young kid. Gotti’s first arrest was at the age of 14 when he was caught trying to steal a cement mixer. He was able to talk his way out of trouble by attributing the thief to a boyhood prank. Perhaps this incident served as a catalyst to his negotiating skills in the face of trouble with the law and the development of his charm that would serve him throughout his life.
The underworld became Gotti’s playground after dropping out of school in the eighth grade. In 1966 one could find Gotti hijacking trucks at the JFK airport for the Gambino family. After being released from prison in 1969 for hijacking trucks, John Gotti earned the respect of Gambino boss Carlo Gambino when he was instrumental in aiding in avenging the death of Gambino’s nephew. The nephew had allegedly been kidnapped and murdered by an Irish mobster named James McBratney. Two eyewitnesses saw the murder of McBratney and Gotti was charged with first-degree murder. The first-degree murder charge was reduced to second-degree manslaughter. Gotti only served two years for this crime. His charm had once again played an instrumental role in his interactions with the law.
