James "Whitey" Bulger's longtime companion, Catherine Greig, pleaded not guilty in Boston on Thursday to charges she harbored and concealed the notorious crime boss during his 16 years on the lam.
Prosecutors claim Greig, 60, of Quincy, Mass., helped Whitey Bulger evade the law from January 1995 until this past June, when the couple was arrested in Santa Monica, Calif., where according to the LA Times they had been hiding in plain sight
If convicted, she faces a maximum of up to five years in federal prison.
Bulger — longtime leader of the notorious "Winter Hill Gang" — was on the FBI's 10 most-wanted list for racketeering and murders for more than a decade, NECN reports.
He was wanted in Boston in connection with 19 homicides and other charges, the LA Times reports, adding that the FBI found more than $800,000 cash and three dozen guns at the California apartment he shared with Greig.
"It is alleged that Greig conspired to take steps to prevent Bulger's discovery and arrest, after knowledge of the fact that a warrant had been issued for his apprehension," a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts told CNN.
During a court hearing last month, the FBI alleged that Greig had used fake ID cards to buy medication for herself and Bulger, the LA Times reports.
According to NECN, Greig flashed "a big smile at her sister and her friend in the front row" and "appeared to be in good spirits in cuffs and shackles as she entered a plea of not guilty in federal court."
After the hearing, Greig's attorney, Kevin Reddington, told reporters that told reporters that Greig — a dental hygienist 21 years the junior of the 81-year-old accused killer — was not going to help federal authorities in their case against Bulger, the Boston Herald reports.
Reddington told reporters that she was holding up well in jail:
"She is a strong woman. She is looking forward, obviously, to getting out and being with her family, but she is just happy that she is back and able to rekindle the loss that she had over the years."
According to the Boston Globe, Reddington described Greig as an "excellent bail candidate."
He also insisted that she was not a flight risk. NECN reports:
“Where is she gonna go? She is putting up this property, her sister is putting up her property, and as I say she is looking forward to putting this behind her,” Reddington said.
There is no paywall on the story you just read because a community of dedicated listeners and readers have contributed to keep the global news you rely on free and accessible for all. Will you join the 226 donors who have supported The World so far? From now until Dec. 31, your gift will help us unlock a $67,000 match. Donate today to double your impact!