FBI nabs mob boss James 'Whitey' Bulger after 16-year search

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FBI nabs mob boss James 'Whitey' Bulger after 16-year search

2011-06-23 20:28:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- FBI Agents on Thursday arrested top ten fugitive James J. "Whitey" Bulger and his companion in California after remaining a high-profile fugitive for 16 years.

Bulger, 81, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was located with his longtime companion Catherine Greig,60, in Santa Monica, California after a recent publicity, which produced a tip that led FBI agents to their residence early Wednesday evening, according to the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's office in Boston, Richard Deslauriers, and the FBI's Assistant Director in Charge in Los Angeles, Steven Martinez. 

As the leader of the Winter Hill Gang, Bulger was being sought for his alleged participation in 19 killings, racketeering, extortion, drug trafficking-related charges, conspiracy, and money laundering. A $2 million reward was being offered for tips leading to his arrest. Greig is being charged for harboring a fugitive.

In a highly criticized move, the FBI used Bulger since the early 1970s as an informant, allowing him to continue his alleged criminal activities. According to a report that made Bulger's relationship with the FBI public, he would provide the FBI with information regarding gang rivals the Patriarca crime family, which operated in the New England area.

In 1995, the FBI was planning to indict Bulger, but FBI agent John Connolly Jr. tipped Bulger who quickly fled, using false identities across the U.S. and Europe and setting up safe deposit boxes to keep cash, jewelry, and passports. Bulger went on to influence the creation of character Frank Costello in Martin Scorsese's 2006 film 'The Departed.'

Connolly Jr. was later arrested, and in 2002, he was convicted of racketeering for protecting Bulger as well as another FBI informant, Stephen Flemmi. That same year was the last time federal agents received reliable information regarding Bulger's location, as a businessman reported spotting him in London.

According to reports, Bulger and Greig had settled down and were living in Santa Monica's The Princess Eugenia building at the time of their arrest, where they went unnoticed as they were able to blend in normally.

The FBI said the two were arrested without incident and both are currently scheduled for an initial appearance on Thursday in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California in Los Angeles. 

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