Skip to main content

'The Departed': Mobster Whitey Bulger Arrested by FBI

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on June 23, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

On the run for 16 years, James "Whitey" Bulger, the inspiration for Jack Nicholson's character in the 2006 mafia film The Departed, was caught in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday.

A member of the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list, Whitey was apprehended along with his longtime girlfriend Catherine Greig a day after the agency launched a media blitz requesting information on their whereabouts.

What's going to happen to them now?

Prior to disappearing in the mid-1990's, Whitey Bulger was an FBI informant, passing along information on a rival gang, reports the Associated Press. But when his handler let him know that he was about to be indicted, he fled.

Already indicted on 19 charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, drug distribution, extortion, and money laundering, Whitey Bulger is likely to officially face prosecution for his crimes.

He will also likely be indicted on new charges of resisting arrest along with any weapons or financial crimes that may have been committed to help hide his whereabouts.

As for Catherine Greig, the AP reports that she is being charged with harboring a fugitive.

Under federal law, harboring a fugitive requires proof that one "actually harbored or concealed the fugitive" with the intent to "prevent the fugitive's discovery or arrest."

Supplying a fugitive with money alone is not sufficient for conviction. Instead, a person must give direct aid, such as providing shelter and food.

Chances are Greig at some point purchased food and shelter for Bulger.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see just how this entire situation plays out in court.

Will Whitey Bulger cop a plea? Will Greig get off scot-free? Too bad The Departed doesn't offer any answers.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard