Prosecutor: Gotti Sr. okayed Tampa mob activity

TAMPA -- John Gotti Jr. got his father's approval in the late 1980s to expand the Gambino crime family into Tampa through a local valet parking business, a federal prosecutor said today in court.

Gotti Jr. faces charges in Tampa of federal racketeering and murder related to three killings in New York 10 years ago. His defense attorney wants the case moved back to New York. Federal prosecutors want to keep it here.

"This case is here because this is where Mr. Gotti elected to plant a Gambino crime family flag," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Trezevant told U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday, who will make the call.

The venue hearing offered a glimpse of the prosecution's case, as Trezevant described Gotti Jr.'s interest in Tampa. He said Gotti Jr.'s friend, John Alite, had gone to school at the University of Tampa, and Alite's college roommate, Tim Donovan, had become a successful valet parking owner in Tampa. Alite saw that as an opportunity to expand the mob's interests from New York to Florida, Trezevant said.

Alite had first sought approval from Gotti Jr., the prosecutor told U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday, and Gotti Jr. turned to his father. Prosecutors said a member of the Gambino crime family could not relocate or expand interests without permission from the boss, who was John Gotti Sr.

Defense attorney Charles Carnesi wants the trial moved back to New York because the crimes alleged against Gotti Jr. occurred in New York and a Tampa trial would be too much of a financial burden.

Prosecutors plan to call witnesses who had dinner with Gotti Jr. in Tampa, placing him here and showing that he was actively involved in expanding here, Trezevant said.

Judge Merryday said federal indictments against Gotti Jr. in Florida and New York are nearly identical and he must decide where to draw the line in allowing the government to change cities on a prosecution.

Previous story: Tampa mob inquiry snares "Junior" Gotti.

Sister: Gotti trial is government vendetta 

Kevin Graham, Times Staff Writer

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