Federal prosecutors in Boston suggested that legendary gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, who was captured in Santa Monica this week after 16 years on the lam, may have more money stashed away.
More than $800,000 in cash was found in his Third Street apartment when he was captured by the FBI on Wednesday night.
In court Friday in Boston, Bulger asked for a government-paid defense attorney, saying he didn’t have the money to hire his own. Prosecutors scoffed at that notion.
“He was found with $800,000 in cash,’’ said Assistant U.S. Atty. Brian T. Kelly, according to theBoston Globe. “We think he has access to more.’’
The 81-year-old is allegedly responsible for numerous crimes, including 19 killings, and faces two separate federal indictments, one from 1995 and the other from 1999.
Bulger also has been charged in murder cases in Florida and Oklahoma. He does not face the death penalty in the federal cases, but district attorneys in both states said they would explore the option in their own cases.
Judge Marianne Bowler asked Bulger if he could afford a lawyer. “Well, I could, if you gave me my money back,” he said, drawing laughter from spectators in the crowded courtroom.
