armymad
06-10-2002, 03:39 PM
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI confirms former Gambino crime boss John Gotti has died at the federal prison at the U.S. medical center for federal prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, where he was being treated for cancerous lesions on the tongue, neck and ears. He was 61.
By murdering his way to the top of one of the nation's most powerful mob families, Gotti became a legend, respected and feared by many.
He was the last of the classic gangsters, a Mafia chief who broke all the rules, reveled in the public spotlight and, at least for a while, seemed untouchable with his multimillion dollar illegal operation that thrived on prostitution, extortion, gambling, theft and drugs.
By murdering his way to the top of one of the nation's most powerful mob families, Gotti became a legend, respected and feared by many.
He was the last of the classic gangsters, a Mafia chief who broke all the rules, reveled in the public spotlight and, at least for a while, seemed untouchable with his multimillion dollar illegal operation that thrived on prostitution, extortion, gambling, theft and drugs.