It pays to be a snitch. The FBI handed out more than $2 million to the tipsters who provided the information which helped land James “Whitey” Bulger in jail. The FBI did not identify the tipsters, but said that the money went to more than one person.
The tipsters helped put an end to a 16-year manhunt for crime boss Whitey Bulger. Bulger and his girlfriend, Catherine Greig, were arrested in June in Santa Monica.
The FBI said in a statement:
“On Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, the Boston Division of the FBI received final authorization from the United States Department of Justice to pay the $2.1 million reward to those responsible for providing information which directly led to the arrest of former Top Ten Fugitive James ‘Whitey’ Bulger and his companion Catherine Greig… The FBI has paid this reward money to more than one individual.”
According to the LA Times, Bulger was on the FBI’s Most Wanted List for 19 homicides and other crimes in the Boston. Greig was wanted for harboring a fugitive. Both Bulger and Greig have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Before Bulger’s arrest, the FBI launched a campaign encouraging people to contact the agency with information about the whereabouts of Bulger and Greig. The FBI offered $2 million for any information relating to Bulger, and $100,000 for a tip leading to the arrest of Greig.
The FBI says that Bulger’s arrest was a direct result of the campaign.
Do you think Whitey Bulger’s arrest worth $2.1 million?
