According to Raab, Gotti also taxed his soldiers. And demanded just as much of a cut of their earnings as Castellano did. Not only that, but the demise began with Gotti, and rapidly progressed. He demanded that all of the soldiers and capos came to the Ravenite, to "touch base" and pay tribute one day out of every week, many in that family didn't want to do that, being aware of the chances of FBI surveillance, but Gotti demanded it from them. And this allowed soldiers and capos who weren't previously known to law enforcement, to be identified and labeled as Gambino associates and made men. Gotti only paid the legal fees of those who were on trial with him, and his closest men. He didn't do that for every single soldier in the family.

He wouldn't allow Gambino family members to take plea deals. Because he didn't want them acknowledging the existence of the Cosa Nostra, and it's illegal activity. Guys also began to turn on him for this rule, as guys couldn't get any breaks, they had to follow the orders of Gotti, and if they did take a plea, they were persona non grata. But Gotti also contradicted this with the weekly pow-wows at the Ravenite. And he allowed his closest men, including his son, to take plea deals without any penalties.