Pasquale (Little Patsy) Erra – Genovese Family Soldier

Upon Coppola’s death, it was said the Pasquale (Little Patsy) Erra took over all Genovese LCN regime activities in South Florida. He was definitely one of the controlling powers in Florida in his era at any rate!

Pasquale (Little Patsy) Erra - aka "Patrick Erra," "Pasquale Michael Erra" and "Little Paddy" - was born in 1916 in East Harlem, NYC.

He lived for a time in Astoria, NY before relocating down to Florida in the late-1940s or early 1950s, Erra resided for years at 3720 Chase Blvd., in Miami Beach, Florida.

He had a younger brother Michael, who was also a Genovese figure, and a son Robert, who, while not a mob figure per se, was associated with this group.

At 5-foot 5-inches tall and 140-pounds with a trim, small frame, Patsy’s appearance belied his ability and reputation as a tough guy. He was known to handle himself very well, having been a professional boxer in his youth.

Note: An avid golfer, Patsy and Max Eder - a mob associate - always play as a twosome.

FBI # 1593543, NYPD # B-151752

Erra started out as a young hoodlum in New York’s Harlem.

He and his brother Mike were said to have performed a contract for Mike Coppola to hit a guy. Although they shot the guy in a Harlem movie theatre, he didn’t die. Nonetheless, because of the service to the Family, Patsy was “made”.

Miami in the 1950s. Photo by Gleason Waite Romer.

He operated in NYC for some years, until visiting Miami during the 1940s, he liked the atmosphere so much that he eventually relocated there permanently!

As the years passed, Erra, a very well-liked mafioso, became the unofficial “de facto” mob “greeter” so to speak!

It seemed that everybody who was anybody made it their business to visit and socialize with Patsy when in South Florida.

In 1964, the McClellan Committee named Erra as a “soldier” and top leader in the Miami underworld. He was described as a confidante and aide of Trigger Mike Coppola, and the man who was the Miami rackets overseer for Coppola.

When subpoenaed to testify before the committee, Erra, of course, repeatedly invoked his fifth amendment rights.

Upon Coppola’s death, it was said the Erra took over all Genovese LCN regime activities in South Florida. He was definitely one of the controlling powers in Florida in his era at any rate!

Over the years, Erra was repeatedly subpoenaed before various mob grand juries for testimony, usually pleading the fifth!

Erra's known criminal activities

Gambling rackets

Although Erra was not a gambler, he oversaw others who ran extensive gaming operations for the regime. These included legal casino gaming, bookmaking, policy, and cards-dice.

During the Batista regime in Cuba, Little Paddy Erra was known to go back and forth regularly and was suspected of overseeing Coppola’s interests there.

Shylocking

He operated on a large scale through multiple sub-shylocks both in Florida and New York.

Extortion/strong-arm tactics

Erra was a known enforcer in his younger days and said to control the “shakedown” of bookies and shylocks in Miami by his minions.

Smuggling narcotics

He was suspected of trafficking in heroin and cocaine and had a previous drug conviction.

Bar/nightclub infiltration

A primary focus of Erra was to move in on licensed establishments throughout Collins Avenue and vicinity.

Note: Several associates listed with an * below were utilized by Erra for running racket operations for him.

>> During the 1950s and 1960s, he was suspected of representing mob interests in the famed “Ronde Bar” at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach -- a favorite hangout and destination for major racket figures visiting Miami from across the country.

The Fontainebleau, owned by Lansky associate and financier Ben Novak, was a safehaven for Erra.

He operated gaming, shylock, and other rackets for years with total impunity and safety from this locale.

>> Dean Martin’s Restaurant at 79th Street Causeway, N. Bay Village in Miami Beach,

Dean Martin backed this venture. Although not officially an owner, Patsy was thought to have had a hidden interest. Erra was listed as the general manger until the SLA forced his “firing”.

>> “The Dream Bar” in the Johnina Hotel in Miami. Erra is believed to have been a hidden owner of the hotel and bar.

>> Albion Bar on Collins Avenue in the Miami Beach area He is alleged to have had an interest.

>> Reliable Plumbing Co., at 703 71st St., in Miami. He was a partner.

>> Temple Meat-Packing Co., at W. 14th Street, in NY, NY and 64 NW 11th Street, Miami, Florida. Erra was a “commission salesman” to restaurants and nightclubs.

Virtually all top mobsters from across the country, when visiting South Florida, made seeing Erra a priority.

But among his closer associates were:

• Santo Trafficante Jr. - often saw Erra when in Miami and was an associate and friend.

• Joe Massei - semi-retired Detroit top hoodlum and highly respected.

• Michael (Trigger Mike) Coppola - top East Harlem boss who migrated south who managed his crew from Florida,

• Anthony (Fat Tony) Salerno - watchdog for Coppola’s rackets in NYC. and reported to Florida often.

• Alexander (Al Ross) Rosato - Harlem native, crew soldier, and major shylock. Boyhood friend of Erra.

• Dominick (Swats Mulligan) Ciaffone- old-time crew soldier and friend.

• Alfredo (Freddy Red Shirt) Felice - respected and highly fluid Genovese soldier who moved to Florida during the 1940 to 50s era and was a friend of Erra's.

• Raymond Patriarca -New England boss and close friend.

• Gabriel (Kelly) Mannarino -- a top Pittsburgh boss, and a close friend and associate. He was from Kensington, PA.

• Sam Mannarino - another top Kensington figure and close associate.

• Max (Maxie Raymond) Eder * --a transplanted NYC gambler/loanshark who fronted for Erra and Coppola He ran the card room in the Fontainebleau where high-stakes games were held. Erra was always his partner.

• Salvatore (Sal the Sailor) Ciccone - Lucchese figure and associate of Erra.

• Norman Rothman * - operated a loanshark ring and was a close aide to Erra.

• Fabio DeCrestofaro * - a loan collector.

• Jack Herman - another Erra minion and associate. He was also a gambler, conman, and owned a carpet store and Jewish deli.

• Michael (Mickey) Erra * - Patsy's kid brother and his aide.

• Robert (Bobby) Erra * - Patsy’s son, college educated and personable, became a mob associate of his father.

• Vincent (Terry) Teriaca * - Erra associate and Lansky's son-in-law who was later murdered.

....and there were hundreds more from nearly all the borgatas in America.

Erra had a lengthy arrest record which started in 1936:

1936 - possessing two guns

1937 - vagrancy

1938 - assault and robbery

1938 - fugitive

1939 - auto theft and grand larceny (1 to 2 years)

1941 - stolen goods

1942 - narcotics (1 year federal)

1945 - felonious assault

1945 -- criminal inquiry

1952 - criminal registration violation

1950-1960 ? -- tax evasion (failure to file federal income tax returns)

1972 - gambling and conspiracy

Erra was convicted of several charges and served related jail terms

In 1969, law enforcement reports that Patsy, Mickey, and Norm Rothman, were in discussion with pornographer Eddie Mishkin to open up to six dirty book stores in Miami and several dirty movie theatres, shipping the porno in from out of state.

Little Patsy Erra died young in 1973. He was only 57 years old!

Until next time..."The Other Guy!"

Pasquale (Little Patsy) Erra – Genovese Family Soldier

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Pasquale (Little Patsy) Erra – Genovese Family Soldier

Unlock The Door to the Underworld

Take the Journey!

You May Also Enjoy

Modeste (Mickey Morris) Barra – The Counterfeit Mafioso of the Genovese Family

Vincent (Jimmy Blink) Bivona

Philip (Cockeyed Phil) Lombardo – The Boss in the Shadows

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