BOSTON – On the same day notorious mobster James J. “Whitey” Bulger marked his 74th birthday as a fugitive, his younger brother, John P. “Jackie” Bulger, faced justice back home in South Boston. John P. Bulger, 65, was sentenced in federal court yesterday for lying to authorities who were investigating his infamous brother.
Judge Reginald Lindsay handed down a sentence of six months in federal prison to John P. Bulger, along with three years of probation. The probation includes a six-month period of home confinement. Bulger, a former court clerk, was also fined $3,000 for his crimes.
Federal prosecutors had sought a harsher sentence, arguing for 41 to 51 months of imprisonment. However, Bulger’s defense attorney, George F. Gormley, requested leniency, asking for just six months of home detention and probation.
John P. Bulger had previously pleaded guilty in April to four felony counts: two counts of perjury and two counts of obstruction of justice. In court, Bulger admitted to his actions but claimed he was motivated by “brotherly concern” rather than “criminal intent.” Neither Bulger nor his lawyer made any statements to the press outside of the courtroom.
Gormley emphasized his client’s lack of involvement in his brother’s criminal activities. “My client had no connections with his brother’s unlawful activities, and I think this is a crucial distinction,” Gormley stated. He further described John P. Bulger as leading “a law-abiding exemplary life as a father, as a hardworking individual blessed with a loving family.”
William M. Bulger, another brother and former president of the University of Massachusetts, was present in the courtroom, accompanied by numerous family members, showing support for John P. Bulger.
Prosecutor Brian Kelly argued strongly for a more severe sentence. He highlighted that John P. Bulger had lied to a grand jury on two separate occasions. Kelly also emphasized the gravity of the alleged crimes committed by James “Whitey” Bulger, dismissing the defense’s “family loyalty” argument.
“These are serious crimes that deserve serious punishment,” Kelly asserted to the judge. He challenged the notion of misplaced loyalty, stating, “He has a theory that family loyalty comes before public safety.” Kelly pointed out that “No one asked the defendant to join the FBI in the hunt for his brother,” underscoring that John P. Bulger’s actions were a deliberate choice to obstruct justice.
James “Whitey” Bulger had been a fugitive since 1995, fleeing to avoid a federal racketeering indictment. He was also wanted in connection with a staggering 21 murders, making his capture a top priority for law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan expressed his disappointment with what he considered a lenient sentence and indicated he was considering an appeal. “Obviously, we are very disappointed,” Sullivan stated. “There is a line between family loyalty and corrupting the criminal justice system.” He emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the legal process, even in cases involving family ties.
John P. Bulger’s charges stemmed from his false statements to grand juries investigating his brother’s whereabouts and financial dealings. He admitted to lying in 1996 when he claimed to have no knowledge of safety deposit boxes at a Clearwater, Florida bank. James “Whitey” Bulger was suspected of using these boxes to hide money and important documents. Prosecutors revealed that John P. Bulger had actually made a rent payment for one of these boxes earlier that year, directly contradicting his grand jury testimony.
Furthermore, John P. Bulger also lied to a separate grand jury in January 1998. He stated under oath that he had not communicated with his fugitive brother. However, phone records revealed that he had spoken with James “Whitey” Bulger in the summer of 1996, further demonstrating his efforts to mislead investigators.
Adding to the evidence against John P. Bulger, testimony revealed his involvement in creating false identification for his fugitive brother. Kevin Weeks, a former close associate of James “Whitey” Bulger who became a government informant, testified that he urged John P. Bulger to pose for photographs wearing a fake mustache. Weeks took these photos at John P. Bulger’s home. The intention was to use these images to create fake IDs for James “Whitey” Bulger, who was believed to be in Chicago at the time. However, according to Weeks, James “Whitey” Bulger rejected the photos, deeming them inadequate.
This case highlights the complexities of family loyalty and the serious consequences of obstructing justice, particularly in investigations involving violent criminals like James “Whitey” Bulger. John P. Bulger’s sentencing serves as a reminder that familial bonds do not exempt individuals from the rule of law.
