Born in 1908 in Palermo, and although only 5-feet 2-inches tall, Eddie Coco was a very feared guy. He was another of the Lucchese Family’s top men who specialized in the “prizefight rackets” in which he was partnered with Frankie Carbo, Frank (Blinky) Palermo, Harry (Champ) Segal, and Felix Bocchiccio. They were collectively called “The Combination.”
Coco was also suspected of being into narcotics smuggling as a financier and was a documented extortionist as well. He later received a life sentence by a Florida State Court judge for shooting to death a black parking lot attendant who Coco felt had disrespected him by not moving fast enough and ogling Coco’s female companion one evening while they were at a Miami nightspot.
Until next time…”The Other Guy”
Check out more Miami mobsters in our Moon Over Miami Series:
Mafia Moon Over Miami: Part 1
Mafia Moon Over Miami: Part 2
Mafia Moon Over Miami: Part 3
Mafia Moon Over Miami: Part 4
