As reported by several mainstream media sites, including Boston.com., Catherine Greig, girlfriend of gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to harbor a fugitive, conspiracy to commit identity fraud, and identity fraud, while Bulger is remanded in jail without bail, no longer among FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list.
In a written statement Greig admitted to “conduct that was intended to help Bulger avoid detection from law enforcement and to provide him with support and assistance during his flight from law enforcement” for 16 years.
Greig, 60, obtained false identifications that included driver’s licenses and Social Security cards – using real people’s names.
One fake id was used to collect medicine and for medical services rendered for almost ten years, between 2002 and 2011. Another alias was used for Bulger’s dental appointments when the couple resided in Santa Monica, Calif.
But Greig has claimed that she did not use the false ids to “defraud anyone else of money, good or other property, although I do readily agree that I was in possession of the false identities and that I used the false identities to fill out forms to obtain medical services.”
Family members, Tom Donahue and Steve Davis, of two of Bulger’s alleged murder victims, were told by prosecutors following the meeting that Greig would face a maximum of five years in prison, and a minimum of 32 months.
Additionally, Donahue and Davis were told that Greig would not have to forfeit her home to the government, or be forced to testify against Bulger.
Her sentence has yet to be recommended by prosecutors.
Donahue said, “She helped that guy on the run. We could have had these answers 16 years ago. She’s a criminal, she’s not a victim. She’s a criminal.”
Davis added, “What they want out of this is they want the conviction...” and that the government, with knowledge of Bulger murdering 19 people in all, “…has not put a tight enough grip on everything.”
Allegedly Davis lost his sister Debra in 1981 – strangled by Bulger. Donahue lost his father Michael in 1982 – shot on the South Boston waterfront, again allegedly by Bulger.
Relatives of four other murder victims attended the court meeting.
In January of 1995, after Bulger’s former FBI handler told him he was about to be arrested on federal racketeering, he fled. He and Greig were captured last June in Santa Monica.
The couple, using the names Charles and Carol Gasko, lived in a rent-controlled apartment in Santa Monica for at least 13 years. The FBI located over $800,000 in cash and 30 weapons hidden in the walls of the apartment.
Several false identities were also found.
Kevin Reddington, Greig’s attorney, said that his client is only guilty of being in love with Bulger, was not aware of his crimes and would not cooperate against him.
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