Bulger captured, fugitive for 16 years

South Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger (right) and his longtime girlfriend Catherine Greig were arrested yesterday (Wednesday, June 22) in Santa Monica, California, according to numerous published reports. Bulger, 82, had been a fugitive from justice for 16 years. He is accused of participating in 19 murders and other crimes. Greig is accused of harboring a fugitive.

- Los Angeles Times: "Fugitive Boston mobster arrested on Westside."
- Boston Herald: "Whitey Bulger, galpal nabbed in California."
- New York Post: "Mobster 'Whitey' Bulger arrested after 16 years on the lam."
- Reuters: "Accused Boston crime boss 'Whitey' Bulger arrested."

Bulger served as boss of the South Boston, Massachusetts, Winter Hill Gang, while also working as an FBI informer against the regional Mafia. His corrupt FBI handler, John J. Connolly Jr., tipped him off to a pending federal indictment in December 1994. (Connolly was later convicted of racketeering-leaking government information and of second degree murder.) Bulger and his girlfriend immediately disappeared. The reward for Bulger's capture had reached as high as $2 million.

Earlier in the week, the FBI unveiled a new publicity campaign targeting Catherine Greig. That prompted extensive coverage of the Bulger case in Boston-area media.

- FBI: "Have You Seen This Woman?"

Bulger and Greig are expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles today (Thursday, June 23).