NEW YORK —  John A. "Junior" Gotti has asked to be freed on bail while he awaits trial on racketeering charges.

Gotti's lawyers submitted papers in federal court in Manhattan on Monday saying he deserves to remain free because he quit organized crime a decade ago.

The lawyers say prosecutors have failed to develop any evidence to show Gotti has participated in organized crime in the last 10 years.

They also say prosecutors have indicted Gotti with old evidence that has not worked at three previous trials that ended with hung juries.

Gotti was arrested last year on an indictment brought against him in Tampa, Fla. A judge there transferred the case to Manhattan.