The Man Behind Pirate’s Booty and the Quest for Power: Robert Ehrlich’s Attempted Coup

A Bizarre Attempted Coup Rocks a Peaceful Long Island Village

In a shocking turn of events, Robert Ehrlich, the 66-year-old creator of the popular cheese puff brand Pirate’s Booty, has made headlines for a most unexpected reason: an attempted coup of the Long Island village of Sea Cliff. On Monday, Ehrlich, accompanied by a three-man crew, stormed into Sea Cliff’s village hall, declared himself the new mayor, and demanded that everyone step down from their positions. He even asked for an office to be set up for himself. The situation, which lasted about an hour, ended when police arrived to diffuse the tension, and Ehrlich and his associates left without being arrested.

The incident has left villagers stunned and puzzled. One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of legal repercussions, described Ehrlich as “f–king crazy.” The tension was further escalated on Friday when Ehrlich was spotted waving a large American flag on the streets of Sea Cliff. The question on everyone’s mind is: why would a successful businessman like Ehrlich resort to such drastic measures?

A Longstanding Beef: The History Between Ehrlich and the Village

To understand Ehrlich’s motives, one must delve into the history between him and the village of Sea Cliff. In 2003, Ehrlich filed a federal lawsuit against the village, accusing officials of harassing his local businesses because he is Jewish. The lawsuit, however, did not go in his favor, and Ehrlich was subsequently ordered to pay the village $900,000 in legal fees. This blow was further compounded when he sued his own lawyer for malpractice, a case that was later dismissed.

Given this history, many villagers speculate that Ehrlich’s attempted coup is a form of retaliation against the village for the legal setbacks he endured. The timing of his actions is also noteworthy, as the village is set to hold elections on Tuesday, with incumbent Mayor Elena Villafane running unopposed for the part-time seat. Ehrlich, however, has thrown his hat into the ring as a write-in candidate, declaring himself a contender in the wake of his stunt.

A Clash of Personalities: Ehrlich vs. Villafane

At the heart of the conflict is the clash between Ehrlich and Mayor Elena Villafane, who has been a steadfast figure in Sea Cliff’s governance since her election in 2021. Villafane, who was participating in the meeting virtually, rushed to the village hall upon hearing of Ehrlich’s takeover attempt. She recounted the confrontation to The Post, stating that Ehrlich told her, “You’re not the mayor anymore. I’m the mayor. And if you spend another cent, it’ll be considered embezzlement.” Villafane, maintaining her composure, offered to process his petition through the proper channels, but Ehrlich refused to hand it over, claiming she was no longer the mayor.

The exchange became increasingly heated, with Ehrlich accusing Villafane of being antisemitic—a claim that Villafane denies. Despite thePremium to remain calm and professional, the confrontation highlighted the deep-seated animosity between the two figures. Ehrlich’s actions, however, seem to go beyond a simple power struggle; they appear to be driven by a personal vendetta against the village and its leadership.

A Visionary or a Troublemaker? Public Opinion is Divided

While many villagers view Ehrlich’s actions as the antics of a disgruntled individual, others see potential in his leadership. Tim Ayres, a Sea Cliff resident, expressed support for Ehrlich, citing his success with Pirate’s Booty as evidence of his capability to lead. “I think he’d do a great job because he’s proven himself in the field of business with Pirate’s Booty, and he ran that like a tight ship,” Ayres told News 12.

However, not everyone shares this optimism. Longtime resident Phil Como, a volunteer firefighter, praised Villafane’s leadership, stating that she is among the best mayors the village has had. Como expressed confusion over why Ehrlich, a successful businessman, would target a village that is seemingly well-run. “We have an excellent board, we provide excellent services, our budget is pretty tight, our taxes are fairly reasonable, we have good code enforcement and zoning — so I can’t understand why a man so successful would choose to hone in on a village that is run pretty superbly,” Como said.

Ehrlich’s Vision for Sea Cliff: Fact or Fiction?

Despite the backlash, Ehrlich remains undeterred in his quest to lead Sea Cliff. In a video posted on the Sea Cliff Residents Facebook page, he outlined his vision for the village, including plans for outdoor seating and a daycare center sponsored by the village near the old water company. Ehrlich emphasized his love for Sea Cliff and his commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents. “I love Sea Cliff more than anybody. I’ve lived my life here,” he said, urging villagers to meet him and see for themselves the good he intends to do.

Ehrlich also claimed to be empowered by the Citizen Empowerment Act, a little-known state law, to form what he called the new “Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff Residents,” with himself at the helm. However, the village has dismissed his claims, stating in a Facebook post that Ehrlich presented a false assertion of his authority as mayor. When informed that his claim was invalid and unsupported by law, he and his associates became increasingly confrontational, leading to the police intervention.

The Aftermath and the Road Ahead: Elections and Uncertainty

As the village prepares for Tuesday’s elections, the question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next for Sea Cliff? Mayor Elena Villafane, who has earned the trust and respect of many villagers, is running unopposed, but Ehrlich’s declaration as a write-in candidate has introduced an element of unpredictability into the race.

While Ehrlich’s actions have been met with skepticism by many, they have also sparked a broader conversation about the governance of the village and the role of its leadership. Whether Ehrlich’s candidacy will gain traction remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the events of the past week have left an indelible mark on the village of Sea Cliff, and the community will be watching closely as the situation unfolds.

In the end, the attempted coup by Robert Ehrlich serves as a reminder of the complexities of small-town politics and the lengths to which individuals will go to assert their influence. As the village moves forward, it will be important for its leaders and residents to come together in a spirit of unity and cooperation, ensuring that the best interests of Sea Cliff are prioritized above all else.