Hey i read alot on the internet about how Gotti was too flamboyant and too cocky and brought down the whole Gambino family with his big mouth and some of this may be true but I think people dont understand what he was up against. The FBI's technology is amazing compared to the times of the older gangsters who never got caught. They had almost everything tapped, where could he talk? they had cars with mics on the sidewalks, broke into old ladies apartments and bugged those basicaly it was virtualy impossible for him to do business the way he liked to with the FBI so relentlessy pursuing him, yes he made them pursue him maybe a little more but they were ruthless when it came to getting Gotti. So just think how long do you think Al Capone, or even say Carlo Gambino who is admired greatly on this board would do with all of this technology they have today. I agree Gotti didnt help matters but everyone saying he was such a horrible boss is a little unfair considering what he was up against.
Just give me your opinions on this

John

You have a point about the FBI's technology, Kakingo. But since you mentioned Gambino, bear in mind that he never said anything incriminating to anyone out loud, even in his own home, for fear that he was being bugged. And he never got close enough to any crime to be indicted for it. He also led an extremely low-profile life. Gotti had a disastrous combination of big mouth and big ego. And he got involved in that stupid fight with the truck driver over a double-parked car. Even though he walked on that rap and two others, the very fact that he became known as the "teflon Don" put him in the face of every law enforcement agency. He was bound to fall.

Hi,
Gotti's flaw was that he talked too much and made Gravano underboss. Gravano worked for Big Paul Castellano and sold him out. How could Gotti trust him? As for the tapes they mean nothing. With today's technology they can be doctored and juries know this. Having the Bull testify however only collaborated the tapes. No Sammy, Gotti had a 50/50 chance of beating the case.

Paul

lets face it...times do change and if you don't change with it, you are thru. Look at Gotti's Record. His rise to power is so short and most of it is fighting with the goverment and spent in court, or jail. So this is the top spot in the family hu? Only thing he did was make a name for himself...was it good for him or his family or mafia family. Not really. The smart people are the ones that lay low, take in the money and use it to make life better for themselves and their family, not high price lawyers!

Technology works 2 ways. With the wealth and influence that the Gambino family had, Gotti could've used anti-bugging measures. Signals can be jammed, frequencies scrambled, etc.. Gotti's arrogance and the belief that he could bribe jurors or otherwise beat the charges lead to the downfall. Think of it - he takes over in 1986 and is gone for life in 1992. In that amount of time the Gambino's became a shell of the powerfull force they once were.

If he spent less time with his tailors and lawyers and more time being careful and low key the Gambino's might still be a force.

Hi,
In Casino, Nicky/Tony set up his own anti-bugging measures. He hired top people to check his home.

Yes, I thought Nicky would have to use face masks after awhile... He couldn't lay low either. Just like Gotti he got his life sentence in the end.
Tuff Guys who don't bend get broken, one way or the other...

Cam you can't bend when you're tough you got to be smart.

Hi,
That is so true.

good fighters or marshal arts people will tell you go with the flow. Roll with the punch and take the force of the blow away from it. Flex and most of the force is slipped. It takes more energy to withstand the blow directly. The "I will show" you attitude does just that...shows us how hard they can hit the floor....

Gotti should have laid low, drop the flash and went out of town and undergrounf instead of trying to take the goverments best shots...

The FBI was relentless towards Mr. Gotti? Why are you making Mr. Gotti out to be a victim anyways?

Actually, they all worked for Paul Castellano, Gravano didn't sell him out anymore then the rest of the people that took part in the assassination did.

-Lucky