John Franchetta is a mobster and the grieving boyfriend of murdered actress Rebecca Hampton. Much in part because of charlatan journalist Gerald Fox, lying about a witness to the murder in one of his news reports, Franchetta was convicted and sentenced to twenty years in prison.
When he was released, Fox was shot and nearly killed, with Franchetta being a suspect. But Fox revealed Franchetta didn't shoot him, leading to both crimes needing to have attention turn to new suspects. It was revealed Rebecca's daughter Nicole killed Rebecca, as she was having an affair with Franchetta while he and Rebecca were still dating. Nicole's brother Andrew shot Fox to eliminate him as a witness. Franchetta provided Nicole's love letters to provide motive in exchange for not being charged with statutory rape. (L&O: "Juvenile")