Grandsons of late crime boss John Gotti facing assault and harassment charges

Two grandsons of late Gambino family crime boss John Gotti are facing misdemeanor assault and harassment charges for allegedly attacking a brother-in-law in Howard Beach after he was charged with burglarizing one of their homes, according to Queens prosecutors.

John Gotti, 31, and Frankie Gotti, 27, both appeared Tuesday in Queens Criminal Court in handcuffs and were released on their own recognizance. They both left the courthouse with their attorneys.

Queens prosecutors allege that on Monday afternoon, the two men approached Gino Gabrielli in front of a home in Howard Beach and punched him in the face, causing him to fall, according to criminal complaints. 

In court, Frankie Gotti’s attorney, Gerard Marrone, identified Gabrielli as John Gotti's brother-in-law and said the fight was "domestic in nature." Marrone said his client lives in Nassau County but works in Howard Beach.

John Gotti’s attorney, Jake Lasala, declined to comment.

Federal prosecutors have described Gabrielli as an alleged Gambino crime family associate.

Gabrielli was charged Sunday by Queens prosecutors with felony burglary, grand larceny and theft of more than $3,000 worth of property after prosecutors said he burglarized the Jamaica home of his sister and John Gotti, court records show. He pleaded not guilty Monday and was released with nonmonetary bail conditions, according to the records.

Gabrielli's sister said she saw him on video surveillance climb through a bedroom window and steal $3,300 in cash, one pair of earrings, one watch, a wallet and a belt from the home, court documents show.

Frankie and John Gotti were seen by an NYPD officer approaching Gabrielli on Monday and "repeatedly striking him in the face" and kicking him, court records show. The victim was found with scratches and swelling to his face, according to the complaints.

Prosecutors requested supervised release and said John Gotti had two prior felony convictions and was on federal probation.

Both men were ordered to turn over any firearms. They are scheduled to return to court Aug. 7.

Marrone said: "It’s a simple case. It will be dismissed."

Other members of the Gotti family have been in legal trouble in recent years. Most recently, the misdemeanor assault case against the wife and daughter of John Gotti Jr., the former acting boss of the Gambino crime family, was dismissed last year due to a legal technicality. 

Kimberly Gotti and Gianna Gotti had been arrested and charged with kicking and beating Crystal Etienne during a high school basketball game, during which the Gotti women allegedly yelled homophobic and racist taunts at players — claims they denied. 

Family patriarch John Gotti, the head of the crime family who was dubbed "The Teflon Don," died in prison in 2002. His brother Peter Gotti, who succeeded him as mob leader, died in prison in 2021. 

Newsday's Anthony M. DeStefano, Janon Fisher and Nicole Fuller contributed to this story.

Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified one of the defendants. John Gotti, 31, of Jamaica, Queens, faces misdemeanor assault and harassment charges.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.