Abe Bernstein (c. 1892 – March 7, 1968) was a Detroit-based Jewish-American organized crime figure and leader of the infamous Prohibition-era Purple Gang.
The Chevrolet coupe used in his murder was traced to Bernstein's brother Raymond, but Abe was released due to lack of evidence.
This decision may have resulted from press reports that alleged the deceased Welsh had been a "dirty cop," extorting money from independent bootleggers and speakeasy operators.
Police were initially unable to locate Bernstein; he had been attending a mobster Atlantic City Conference with Meyer Lansky and Charles "Lucky" Luciano.
Bernstein, a chief supplier of Canadian whiskey to Chicago Outfit leader Al Capone, is also suspected to have been involved in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
He became an associate of New York mobsters Joe Adonis and Meyer Lansky, and later became a partner in several syndicate gambling casinos in Miami, Florida.