Despite what many say, john gotti was not stupid. We keep hearing stories about guys wanting him dead but truth be told, he was feared and had a lot of loyal guys around him. Even when he went away, he was still feared and respected.
Gotti was dumb for talking in an apartment, Tony ducks was dumb for talking in a car. Chin gigante was dumb for walking the streets in a bath robe. Vinny B was dumb for talking to Joe Massino. The list goes on and on.
Bottom line, all mobsters go down. Bosses just go down the hardest.
You cant beat the G with their cia technology and endless supply of funds. Add in the fact that there are no more pay phones and camera's on every fuckin corner and the odds just arent good.
One more thing but off subject. All those prison pics of mobsters smiling with their arms around each other: trust me, they aint happy and each and every one of those guys would give his right arem, left arm, and a leg to be home with his wife and kids.
But how long did Gotti last on the street? 5 years. Gigante was free for 15 years and almost died a free man. Gigante fell like every other boss, but none of his guys ratted on him. It was rats from other families that brought him down: Gravano, Leotteti and Casso. Even Massino was on the street for over 9 years. Even Merlino has 9 none consecutive years as a free man.
