Irish Mafia leader James Whitey Bulger, the inspiration for
Martin Scorcese’s The Departed, was finally
convicted of murder, racketeering, etc. in a federal court, although he still attempted
to intimidate witnesses, and former moles came forward and snitched on him.
Martin Scorcese’s The Departed, was finally
convicted of murder, racketeering, etc. in a federal court, although he still attempted
to intimidate witnesses, and former moles came forward and snitched on him.
For eighteen years, Bulger was living it up in rent-control
Santa Monica with his long-time mistress. Other than Bulger, more people are
leaving California than coming.
Santa Monica with his long-time mistress. Other than Bulger, more people are
leaving California than coming.
Why it took the FBI nearly two decades to find the man is
anyone’s guess. But no one has to wonder why he sought Santa Monica: the rent-control
haven.
anyone’s guess. But no one has to wonder why he sought Santa Monica: the rent-control
haven.
For the past six months, I have been writing guest columns
to the New England press, including Worcester. They covered the Bulger trial
until the verdict, and local journalists could not resist admitting their shock
and horror. When I told one of my colleagues that James “Whitey” Bulger was
living incognito in my backyard, all she could say was “Creepy!”
to the New England press, including Worcester. They covered the Bulger trial
until the verdict, and local journalists could not resist admitting their shock
and horror. When I told one of my colleagues that James “Whitey” Bulger was
living incognito in my backyard, all she could say was “Creepy!”
Now Bulger’s back in the news: not just himself, but his
stuff, including a mannequin with a fedora hat. According to the Associated
Press, the feds will auction off his goods and the proceeds will go to victims’
families. Now I have something to write about for New England this week.
stuff, including a mannequin with a fedora hat. According to the Associated
Press, the feds will auction off his goods and the proceeds will go to victims’
families. Now I have something to write about for New England this week.
While no indemnity can restore what Bulger took from aggrieved
families, at least Santa Monica leaders can consider one reform: get rid of
rent control, and make sure that no convicts, suspects, or other criminal
element finds a hiding place without paying top dollar.
families, at least Santa Monica leaders can consider one reform: get rid of
rent control, and make sure that no convicts, suspects, or other criminal
element finds a hiding place without paying top dollar.