Key facts
- John Alite, a former mob hitman and current Englishtown, NJ councilman, was arrested Friday.
- He faces charges including extortion, loansharking, and terroristic threats.
- Authorities discovered numerous weapons in his home, believed to be used for debt collection.
- Prosecutors allege Alite used threats of violence to extort victims.
- Alite previously testified against mobster John "Junior" Gotti.
John Alite, a former mob hitman who had recently become a councilman in Englishtown, New Jersey, has been arrested on multiple charges including extortion, corporate misconduct, loansharking, and terroristic threats. Authorities allege that Alite has returned to his criminal past, using threats of violence to collect on loans provided at exorbitant rates.
During a search of Alite's residence, law enforcement discovered an array of weapons, including metal knuckles, an expandable baton, six baseball bats, and approximately two dozen knives, some of which were switchblades. Court papers indicate that these weapons were likely intended for use in debt collection. One individual reportedly received threats of being struck with a baseball bat if demands were not met.