Feds Offer Some Details On Bulger Arrest

Published June 23, 2011

U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz says today is the day justice begins for the 19 victims of James “Whitey” Bulger.  She does not expect him to face the death penalty for cases pending in Boston.

Eighty-one-year old Bulger and his longtime companion Catherine Greig were living in Santa Monica under the names Charles and Carol Gasko.  Ortiz says Bulger was lured out of his apartment by undercover agents and arrested without incident.  Agents returned to the apartment and arrested Greig, who will be charged with harboring a fugitive and possibly additional charges.

Ortiz declined to describe the tip that lead to Bulger’s arrest, but said it came in days after a publicity campaign that featured pictures of Greig.

Authorities have launched extradition proceedings to bring Bulger and Greig to Boston.  They are due in court in Los Angeles today.

Bulger and Grieg had been on the run for 16 years.