Murad (Mickey Coco) Nersissian

Murad Nersissian was a mob associate affiliated with the Bonanno Family who was involved in narcotics, counterfeiting, extortion, and even the "bust out" of the Westchester Premier Theatre.

Murad (Mickey Coco) Nersissian was born on June 1, 1923. By mid-1965, he was already residing in Wantagh at 3673 Howard Lane in Nassau County.

His activities included narcotics, counterfeiting (currency), extortion, bookmaking, and strong-arm enforcer.

By 1968, he had been arrested seven times for robbery, bookmaking (twice,) possession and sale of counterfeit money, possession of heroin, possession of guns, and disorderly conduct. He was convicted of robbery (three years,) bookmaking (twice,) possession of counterfeit money (three years,) possession of heroin (eight years,) and possession of guns (three years).

Murad Nersissian

“Mickey Coco” started his criminal career aligned with the Bonanno Family serving as a close associate to underboss Frank (Frankie T) Mari until Mari went missing in 1969. Mari was presumed to have been murdered along with acting consigliere Michael (Mikey Adams) Adamo. Nersissian was one of a group that joined with Mari in an attempted takeover of the Family leadership.

During the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, Nersissian was hauled before several Nassau County mob grand juries one of which was investigating the Bonanno war and Mari’s disappearance. He was cited in 1970 for contempt of court.

By late 1969, he eventually fled from Long Island, relocating up to the New Rochelle section of New York at 1 Bloomingdale Road. He was trying to keep a lower profile, but it didn't work for long.

By 1977, he was one of many mob figures from several mafia Families indicted in the $9,000,000 “bust-out” of the popular Westchester Premier Theatre. It was a new, top venue for entertainment in those northern communities. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and other top performers played at the venue, but it had been a mob scam and “cash cow” from the start.

Several mob figures were charged with its collapse and the looting of millions. Criminal counts included racketeering, conspiracy, stock and bankruptcy fraud, and obstruction of justice. Carlo Gambino and Frank Tieri gave their tacit approval. They even showed up for its grand opening. Other mafia glitterati who invested and were indicted included Anthony Gaggi, Gregory DePalma, Richard Fusco, Louis Pacella, and mob rat Jimmy Fratianno.

Subsequent to that, Nersissian was also thrown into a big narcotics case that involved several top mafiosi.

Although "Mickey Coco" was Armenian, he was a trusted and valued mob figure who spent over 25 years in prison and was close to many top mafiosi throughout the years. He might have switched Family affiliation after Mari was killed since he was never connected to any Bonanno activities again.

Murad (Mickey Coco) Nersissian died on December 6, 1994. He was 71 years old.

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Murad (Mickey Coco) Nersissian

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Murad (Mickey Coco) Nersissian

Often Imitated. Never Duplicated. Button Guys of The New York Mafia...There's Only One!

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Dive Deeper into the Underworld

Dominick Trinchera and the Three Capos Murder

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