Who is John Alite, the Albanian mobster who knocked down “Cosa Nostra” (Photo)

John Alite, originally Albanian from Gjirokastra, born and raised in Queens of NYC, from the son of a taxi driver to the trusted man of John Gottti, the boss of the world's most famous mafia organization.

But how John Alite was able to become one of the most trusted people in this family and what were the reasons why he was eventually sent to cooperate with the FBI.

1- About your Albanian background, tell us more about it, your family. How's the reason for the U.S. immigration?

I was born and raised in New York, my family's roots are from Tirana and Gjirokastra! Grandpa from Dad is originally from Gjirokastra, he was born and grew up there. By 1938, Grandpa Ali migrated to America, together with his cousin to develop a business here, opening a restaurant. After seven years he is attracted to the rest of the family as well as to my father. During the communist regime, we as a family have had very good relations with Enver Hoxha's family, and this greatly favored us in and out of Albania.

2- Who was John Alite before he got involved in the underworld?

When I was young, I wasn't called John, but Go, because I was a very active and resourceful guy. Before I got involved in the world of crime, I went on school and did sports, mostly boxing and baseball, and today I have not given up on them, sports was our family tradition. The neighborhood where I grew up influenced my youth, that's where the law of the road applied, and you had to be <x0 strong” to survive the road, the only Albanian people there were we, the rest were mostly Italian. My uncle was involved with crime.

3- When you became part of the Mafia, what was your family's reaction?

My father had nothing to do with the crime world, unlike my uncle. The family didn't expect my life to take the course of a mob. They thought I was simply part of the game of fate, and it seemed a common thing to them by comparing it to the games of fate in Albania. One night my uncle took me to a gambling club in the Bronx, where I became closely acquainted with Italian-American mobsters.

4- What was your role in this organization and how did you become one of John Gott's most trusted?

I happen to meet John Junior Gott, the great Gott's son. Being friends with him, Junior's father understood my type and was in his interest to keep me close to his son, so he makes me part of their criminal activities. More than a friend, I was Junior's guardian, sometimes taking on his responsibilities.

I was a enforcer of Gott's rules, their dirty jobs, which he never implemented. I've taken the gun and committed crimes, unlike the Italians we Albanians don't change from violence, we face, we return with the same coin and we show our bravery, courage and loyalty. And Gottty needed just these guys. Where her son has been hiding behind my shadow all the time, he has survived and benefited from my courage and ability.

5- After you got out of prison, what direction did your life take? How hard was it for you to live a normal life?

While I was in prison, I was informed that Gottti was telling a lot of lies about me, but they weren't true at all, and I had documents against his words and I felt it was my duty to confess. So all of them would recognize me for who John Alite really was, my bravery and my loyalty to them while they tried to make me work behind my back <x0).

It wasn't easy to get back to normal life, but I'm Albanian, I couldn't run away and back to the way I was raised, people around me knew and respected me. I'm lucky that I've started a new life by staying close to my family after I've wasted a lot of time away from them, now I'm doing honest work, and part of the time I cost teenagers to show how treacherous, disappointing is street life.

6- Now that you're no longer a part of the Mafia, does your family feel threatened?

It's not easy to be one against the Italians, the Mafia force, but the important thing is that I'm no longer part of them. And my family knows I've changed I'm no longer a part of the Mafia and I'm there for them. If I don't live anymore, maybe only then can they fear!

7- “Gotti-i” is your first book based on the true history of your life. What were Gott's rules?

The first book reflected John Alite's real life, reflected in facts and records. Writing a book rejected Gott's lies and all to know me for my truth, the loyalty shown that John Junior Gottti and Truchio never did but survived in my shadow. Gottti's rules were all false, he broke all one by one, he himself never implemented them, but there were others who applied them. He made others believe that he did the same things that others did, but he did not. He asked us not to talk about the murders we had done, but he got caught in a video talking about the murders we committed. Also, Unior Gottti ião was found by the FBI a list of the names of those who had gone to the wedding with the posts in the respective organizations and the amount of money brought in gifts. Although family order wanted it not to be written on paper. Another rule was co-operation with the FBI that was described as treason and condemned by execution and Gottti Junior had signed this letter while I was in prison. Which my nature and character of Albania did not allow me to do at first when the FBI requested my cooperation. Gott's rules were that someone else had to be sacrificed to save himself.

8- Now come in with a second book, what's the theme you discuss there? What's the reason you were led to write these books? Will we see any of your books with any movie scenarios?

This book was written to show how my whole life changed from a guy who was involved in sports activities and a spirit of war to a trained killer. The reason I decided to publish this book based on the true history of my life so my country would know me. I'm proud to be Albanian so I want to be known by Albanians with the eye of truth and not as an Italian mobster. But I also want to teach Albanian children to look at life in another direction, not at money and entertainment because it is a fraud and not trust anyone, because everyone can sell you one day for money. The media can destroy your image by making your life public by confessing untruths about you and thus undermining the image of Albanians. But we Albanian are the best and the world knows that.

I've been contacted by several directors to turn me into a movie, but if possible, I'd like to see it come true with Albanian producers and actors because Albanian ones are in my heart. Even in my body I have tattoos of Albanian flags and words like Albanian

9- There are many young people who view you as an idol. What's your message to them?

I like to hear that there are young people who see me as an idol but I don't want this to be about that dark part of my life as a criminal. I want to be seen as a hero but for the right reasons. That's why I'm dealing with young people now, advising them to stay out of life and crime, to go on school, to work, to live a normal life, to enjoy life and respect family.

10 Do You Think of Back to Albania One Day? What is the message for Albanians in Albania and the Albanian community American?

This year I believe I will go to Albania. My message to all Albanians is to stay as united with each other, not jealous, but to continue to remain strong and loyal as we Albanians are, proud of our flag. Take steps to help Albanians living here in America but also for those who come to be employed as soon as possible. As well as boost co-operation with structures to invest in Albania by boosting our country's economy. Proud we're Albanians! Thank you for the interview. / JOQ