During a brief hearing today, the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts dismissed all counts of racketeering against James J. “Whitey” Bulger — the original case that caused him to go on the lam 16 years ago. US attorney Carmen Ortiz decided to dismiss the charges and focus more heavily on the RICO [...]
Prosecutors: Whitey went to Vegas … and won
June 27, 2011 Leave a Comment
Wasn’t his whole life a gamble? Gangster James J. “Whitey” Bulger allegedly told federal authorities after his arrest that he regularly visited Las Vegas during his time on the lam. And he “won more than he lost,” he said. In court documents filed Monday, federal prosecutors said Bulger liked to play the slots during his [...]
Our neighbor, the mob boss
June 27, 2011 Leave a Comment
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — As you walk down 3rd Street, between California Avenue and Washington Avenue, it’s just like any other neighborhood. A man sporting Nike sneakers and headphones jogs down the street, while a couple bikes by. On the sidewalk, a grandfather pushes a stroller while his wife, daughter and daughter’s young child follow [...]
Government wants Bulger’s brothers questioned before the public pays his legal bills
June 27, 2011 Leave a Comment
Federal prosecutors have come out actively against James J. “Whitey” Bulger’s request for a taxpayer-funded court-appointed attorney. “During his more than sixteen years as a fugitive in this case, Bulger financed a relatively comfortable lifestyle for himself and his girlfriend, Catherine Greig,” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian T. Kelly and Fred M. Wyshak wrote in court [...]
Guest Column: To Bulger prosecutors: You can’t handle the truth!
June 27, 2011 Leave a Comment
“The truth? You can’t handle the truth!” When Jack Nicholson snarled those famous lines in a courtroom during the film “A Few Good Men,” he could just as easily have been reciting lines in Martin’s Scorsese’s “The Departed,” where he played the role of Frank Costello, a Boston mobster, the inspiration for whom is none [...]
Shock, uncertainty at Whitey’s appearance in Federal Court
June 26, 2011 Leave a Comment
The Bulger family reacted with uncertainty when they saw him for the first time in court Friday, after sixteen years. At federal court on Friday, a woman, identified only as Bulger’s first cousin, reacted with feeling to his appearance. “[It was] emotional, real emotional. I really feel like I need some water,” she said as [...]
Billy Bulger speaks, requests privacy
June 25, 2011 3 Comments
Former Massachusetts State Senate president and University of Massachusetts president William M. Bulger gave a brief statement through a publicity firm: “I wish to express my sympathy to all the families hurt by the calamitous circumstances of this case. As the judicial process takes its course, I shall make no further comment at this time. [...]
FBI: Bulger tip taken seriously immediately
June 25, 2011 Leave a Comment
The FBI said Saturday that the tip that led to the arrest of James J. “Whitey” Bulger was taken seriously from the start, disputing news reports that the tip was given low priority when it came in. “Those reports are false,” the FBI said in a statement. “The FBI Supervisory Special Agent responsible for the [...]
Bulger tipster is a woman
June 25, 2011 Leave a Comment
The FBI has released few details about the soon-to-be rich tipster who keyed federal agents in on the location of James J. “Whitey” Bulger and his girlfriend, Catherine Greig. Some reports Friday indicated the tip came from Iceland. The FBI said Saturday that the tipster was female. Officials have insisted that the tip came in [...]
