TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – John A. “Junior” Gotti has pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering charges in Florida.

The 44-year-old son of former Gambino family crime boss John Gotti was arraigned in federal court Thursday afternoon. He faces conspiracy charges that link him to three mob slayings, cocaine distribution and other crimes.

Prosecutors say Gotti was a chief in an arm of the Gambino crime family that operated in Florida and other states going back to 1983.

Gotti denies the charges and has said he has long been retired from organized crime. His attorneys say they plan to ask that the trial be moved to New York.

AP-ES-08-28-08 1806EDT