Despite its persistence through sheer numbers, however, the Gambino group’s operational base resembles a Balkanized state, fractured into semi-autonomous pieces by  a sustained lack of strong centralized control. The leadership vacuum opened in mid1992 when the late John J. Gotti, a flamboyant boss dubbed the “Teflon Don” for his uncanny ability to avoid conviction on multiple criminal charges over the years, finally lost that nickname when federal prosecutors put him away for life for murder and racketeering. Instrumental in Gotti’s conviction, along with that of underboss Frank Locascio and caporegime Thomas Gambino, Sr., was the testimony of Gambino turncoat Salvatore “Sammy Bull” Gravano, the organization’s former underboss and once Gotti’s most trusted lieutenant. Although Gotti for a time managed to run the family from within the walls of the federal penitentiary at Marion, Ill., exchanging coded messages and delivering directives through various intermediaries, his grip on the organization eventually waned. On June 10, 2002, Gotti died of cancer while incarcerated.

Reportedly, Nicholas Corozza had been designated the new boss with John Gotti’s approval, but before he could officially move into the position, he was arrested in Florida on racketeering and attempted murder charges. Subsequently, he pled guilty to racketeering charges and is presently incarcerated.

The family now is led by boss Peter Gotti (an incarcerated brother of John Gotti), acting underboss Arnold Squitieri and consigliere Joseph Arcuri. In March 2003, Peter Gotti and Richard Gotti (another incarcerated brother of John Gotti) were convicted of racketeering in New York federal court. In August 2003, Peter Gotti also was charged with conspiracy to murder Salvatore Gravano.

Squitieri, who resides in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is presently in charge of family matters in New Jersey. Squitieri and Gambino capo Alphonse “Funzi” Sisca, also of Englewood Cliffs, served 11 years in federal prison for heroin distribution.

 At one time, the family consisted of more than 20 caporegimes, but in recent years, some have died, retired or gone to prison. The family also had approximately 20 crews operating under the supervision of caporegimes in various areas, but because of the large number of members convicted and incarcerated, only approximately ten crews are presently active. However, the crews appear to be operating independently because of the family’s lack of strong leadership at the top. Capo Louis Ricco of Lodi, N.J., and associate Taylor “T” Breton were convicted on state gambling charges in 2002. Both, along with capo George “Big George” Remini, have been placed on the New Jersey Casino Control Commission’s Exclusion List.

The Gambino organization’s operations in New Jersey were headed by caporegime Robert “Bobby Cabert” Bisaccia until his sentence to 40 years in prison after being convicted on racketeering charges in 1993 and a life sentence following his conviction on murder charges in 1995. Vincent “Juicy” DiModica was scheduled to take over operations in New Jersey but was convicted on federal racketeering and gambling charges in 1997. He and two other mob figures also were charged with extorting $200,000 from contractors working on the Newark International Airport monorail project in March 1998. DiModica is scheduled for release from federal prison in September 2012. In December 2002, Nicholas F. Mitarotonda of Roseland, N.J., a ranking member of the Gambino organization, was released from incarceration in federal prison on a gambling conviction.

Labor racketeering in the construction industry continues to be the Gambino group’s biggest revenue producer, although the organization also draws substantial revenue from gambling, loan-sharking, pornography, credit card and stock fraud, fuel-tax  scams, and trucking-related shakedowns in the garment industry. The group has also made several significant runs at infiltrating legitimate elements of the licensed beverage industry, as evidenced by the mid-1990s attempt by John Gotti, Jr. and several associates to seize control of a midtown Manhattan topless nightclub known as Scores.