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BY LEXA DECKERT
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America is on a ROLL -- capturing the latest number one on the most wanted list -- James ‘Whitey’ Bulger. Bulger was #2 until bin Laden’s death.
“Boston crime lord, American gangster, a one time prisoner in infamous Alcatraz, a man so notorious he was the inspiration for the mob movie ‘The Departed...’ (FLASH) A suspected cold-blooded hit man, accused of murdering 19 people in the 1970s and 80s... (FLASH) It was a stain on the bureau’s reputation and for 16 years the FBI was desperate to catch him.” (ABC News)
Bulger was arrested at an apartment complex three blocks from the Pacific Ocean outside of Los Angeles on Wednesday evening with his girlfriend Catherine Greig (Greeg).
As WWLP reports - the 81-year-old Bulger was once said to “own” Boston.
“Bulger grew up in south Boston and led the violent Winter Hill gang, which was a large Irish mob that ran loan sharking, gambling and drug rackets throughout the Boston area. He was also a top echelon and FBI informant but the Boston FBI office was sharply criticized when their cozy relationship with the mobster became public in the late 90s."
Bulger fled Boston in 1995 when he received a tip from a former FBI agent about plans for his indictment. There have been many sightings of him since, but cops say a new tactic -- going after the girlfriend -- is how they found Bulger.
They also doubled the award money for Greig -- making it $100,000-- as well as showing this announcement in 14 different cities...
“Have you seen this woman? The FBI is offering $100,000 for tips leading to Catherine Greig’s whereabouts. These photos are from the early 1990s. Greig has had plastic surgeries. She is wanted for harbouring James ‘Whitey’ Bulger -- a fugitive on the FBI’s ten most wanted list. 61 Greig is the girlfriend of 81 year old Bulger. He has a violent temper and is charged with 19 murders. Call the tip line at 1-800-Call-FBI.” (The Telegraph)
Now that the feds caught Whitey, he will stand trial. Some are on edge because of the information that might get out about his past relationship with the FBI. The Washington Post elaborates...
“A major scandal at the FBI, which was found to have an overly cozy relationship with its underworld informants, protecting mob figures and allowing them to carry out their murderous business as long as they were supplying useful information. A congressional committee, in a draft report issued in 2003, blasted the FBI for its use of Bulger and other criminals as informants, calling it ‘one of the greatest failures in the history of federal law enforcement.’”
Bulger faces federal charges including conspiracy to commit murder, narcotics distribution, extortion and money laundering.
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