Pirate’s Booty creator Robert Ehrlich walked into Sea Cliff’s Village Hall and declared himself mayor of the town – before a single vote was even cast – in a move he openly admitted was inspired by President Donald Trump.
The normally quiet village was upended by a bizarre political drama when the business owner announced his mayoral takeover on March 10, complete with the firing of all village staff and saying he had dissolved the government.
Ehrlich, who owns a cafe in Sea Cliff and the Holiday Cocktail Lounge in New York City, claims he took a page from Trump’s unconventional political tactics, saying he’s met him ‘a few times’ and admires how he challenges established norms.
‘Look at what Trump is doing… breaking down walls without legal authority. I don’t agree with him, but it’s inspired me to gain some control in my own life,’ Ehrlich told the DailyMail.com.
‘What I did last week was not only brave, it’s made me a folk hero,’ he added. ‘The White House invited me. They were inspired by my “inspiredness”.’
But he said he’s also received death threats since – one of which called him a ‘narcissistic c***’ and threatened to fry his testicles in olive oil and red wine before shoving them down his throat.
Meanwhile, Ehrlich claimed he’d formed a new municipality, ‘The Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff Residents,’ citing an obscure law called the New York State Citizen’s Empowerment Act.
He brandished an envelope, claiming it held 1,800 supporting signatures, but refused to provide proof, citing what he called fear of reprisal.
Pirate’s Booty creator Robert Ehrlich walked into Village Hall and declared himself mayor of his New York town – before a single vote was even cast – in a move he openly admitted was inspired by President Donald Trump
Pictured: The quaint town of Sea Cliff, which boasts 5,000 residents
He’s received death threats since – one of which called him a ‘narcissistic c***’ and threatened to fry his testicles in olive oil and red wine before shoving them down his throat
‘So, I’m now the mayor of the second entity, according to the Resident Empowerment Act by New York State, that I am the mayor of the residents and the visitors, and they’re the mayor of the paperwork and the compliance,’ Ehrlich explained.
‘So, it worked out for me. Life’s rules are made up,’ he added. ‘It’s all so convoluted and confusing. All I’m trying to do is live a peaceful, creative life, but they don’t like creativity.’
Despite his audacious claim and unconventional campaign, incumbent Mayor Elena Villafane won last Tuesday’s election decisively.
But Ehrlich remains defiant, wildly insisting – without shown basis – the election results were somehow compromised.
‘The election was rigged, obviously. But this town is divided. The people I don’t see hate me,’ he said.
Villafane did not immediately respond to the DailyMail.com’s request for comment, but told The New York Times that she ‘will not tolerate any further attempts to undermine the governance of this village’.
Ehrlich believes his actions have shaken up Sea Cliff, making him both a pariah and a local legend.
‘People that were avoiding me are now coming to me, telling me they’re proud of what I did.
The normally quiet village of Sea Cliff, New York, was upended by a bizarre political drama when the business owner and creator of the iconic snack food announced his mayoral takeover on March 10, complete with the firing of all village staff
Ehrlich, who owns a cafe in Sea Cliff and the Holiday Cocktail Lounge in New York City , claims he was inspired by Trump’s unconventional political tactics, saying he’s met him ‘a few times’ and admires how he challenges established norms
‘This story is going to get bigger and bigger. One person can move a mountain.’
Many others aren’t as supportive.
When he went to vote, he said he ‘felt like Charles Manson walking out after the murders… they were screaming at me.
‘The mayor won by a vote that I don’t believe was real. Her statement was that they plan on not having any more “insurrectionista” in this town.
‘A public official should be saying, “We’d like to talk to Mr. Ehrlich and address his concerns,” not calling people insurrectionists,’ the former mayoral candidate unironically said after trying to dissolve the government.
At the core of his so-called revolution, he explained, is a long-standing dispute with local authorities.
After all, he unsuccessfully sued town officials in 2003 after claiming he was discriminated against because he was Jewish. He was later ordered to pay $900,000 in legal fees.
‘I own a coffee shop in Sea Cliff, and they haven’t given me a permit in 25 years. I’ve tried every angle – backwards, forwards, on my knees – nothing. I live in fear every day that they’re going to come in and shut me down,’ Ehrlich explained.
He brandished an envelope, claiming it held 1,800 supporting signatures, but refused to provide proof, citing fear of reprisal
Ehrlich circulated his own unofficial ballots listing his name alongside Villafane’s and even included a referendum asking voters whether they supported incorporating Sea Cliff into his newly declared village
But Ehrlich said he’s standing strong in defiance and no longer ‘fearful’ of them anymore.
‘The beauty of it is this coffee shop, even though they’ve never given me a permit, I’m defying them right now. They can come.
‘They’re gonna have me arrested any moment, and they’re very frustrated because they know that I’m not fearful of them anymore.’
His ultimate goal, he claims, is to help his local community in which he was born and raised.
‘My real goal is to help the business district here. Sixth Avenue is struggling, businesses are closing.
‘I’d give them outdoor seating permits, but the town doesn’t like that because people talking represents revolution.’
In the meantime, he continues to insist he’s still mayor – at least what he considers to be ceremonially.
‘Now, I get to be mayor without all the heavy responsibilities and complaints.’
Despite his audacious claim and unconventional campaign, incumbent Mayor Elena Villafane won Tuesday’s election decisively
Ehrlich sold the brand to B&G Foods for $195 million in 2013
Ehrlich owns Holiday Cocktail Bar in New York City (pictured)
Ultimately, he views his loss as a unique kind of victory.
‘I considered a huge victory, as you know, like in sports, when a team loses that sometimes they win the hearts of the fans.
‘They win, you know, in other ways. And then there’s another season.
‘And I’m very, very upset and disappointed by the governor and the state of New York.
‘Nobody gives a s**t.’