Updated news on the Gambino, Genovese, Bonanno, Lucchese and Colombo Organized Crime Families of New York City.

Friday, June 18, 2021

Whitey Bulger's infamous FBI handler getting released from Florida prison due to cancer


http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2008/09/08/bulger6__1220890125_5811.jpg

A Florida prison review panel on Wednesday voted to release on medical grounds a former FBI agent diagnosed with cancer who was serving a 40-year murder sentence for helping Boston mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger carry out a 1982 hit on a businessman.

John Connolly, Bulger’s handler within the Federal Bureau of Investigation, had served nearly 20 years of his sentence following his 2008 second-degree murder conviction in Florida over the death of businessman John Callahan.

The Florida Commission on Offender Review voted 2-1 to release Connolly, 80, after hearing he had cancer and a prognosis of less than one year to live. He must remain confined in an approved residence or hospice.

Bulger, who led the Winter Hill Gang, lived a double life as one of Boston’s most notorious mobsters and as a secret FBI informant before going on the run for 16 years after Connolly tipped him that his arrest was imminent.

Bulger was convicted in 2013 of 11 murders, among other charges, and was serving a life sentence when the 89-year-old was killed in prison in 2018.

Bulger’s trial revealed his corrupt relationship with federal law enforcement officials, who turned a blind eye to the Irish-American gangster’s crimes in exchange for information they could use against the Italian-American Mafia.

Connolly and Bulger both grew up in South Boston. After being assigned to the FBI’s organized crime division in Boston, Connolly recruited Bulger and Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi in the 1970s to work as informants.

Prosecutors said Connolly warned Bulger and Flemmi that the FBI was seeking to question Callahan, the president of sports betting operation World Jai-Alai, about another mob slaying, prompting them to arrange for a hitman to kill him.

Connolly has long proclaimed his innocence. “John was nowhere near the scene of the crime,” James McDonald, his attorney, told the commission.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-florida-crime-fbi-bulger/whitey-bulgers-fbi-handler-to-be-released-from-prison-due-to-cancer-idUSKBN2AH2AE



1 comment:

  1. Okay so a sworn in, "Law Protecting" crooked FBI Agent that aided Bulger in murders, looked the other way on Bulger and Flemmi while they killed women, got them hooked on drugs as teenagers and committed numerous unspeakable crimes gets a release after 20 years. Frank LoCascio who was essentially convicted for being close to John Gotti and sitting in the same room as he talked endlessly about crimes, can't get a released after almost 30 years? Bobby Manna who was never convicted for Murder can't get released at 90+ years old? Pete Gotti died in Prison couldn't get a release even with the long list of health issues? This shit is so wrong. They were criminals but at least they didn't fake being good guys by having a badge. They deserve to be released to die at home with their Family the same way this piece of shit gets to.

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