Feds Give Up on Prosecuting Gotti

MANHATTAN (CN) - Federal prosecutors have dropped the prosecution of John A. Gotti after failing to secure a conviction in four criminal trials that included charges of racketeering, conspiring to murder, securities fraud, extortion and loan sharking. In each trial, Gotti acknowledged that he had once been a member of the Gambino crime family, but said he had given it up.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement Wednesday: "In light of the circumstances, the government has decided not to proceed with the prosecution against John A. Gotti. Accordingly, today we submitted a proposed order of nolle prosequi to the court. The order has been approved by the presiding United States District Judge, and thus the prosecution of the case has ended."

Gotti's father, John J. Gotti, was known as the Teflon Don after the feds prosecuted him unsuccessfully three times. The elder Gotti was finally convicted of racketeering and murder in 1992 and died there 10 years later.

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