Neighbors Recall Living Next to James "Whitey" Bulger
Santa Monica residents share stories of living next door to a man who turned out to be wanted by the FBI
AP
James "Whitey" Bulger is seen in this 1984 photo.
Despite being wanted on suspicion of murder and managing to elude authorities for dozens of years, former Boston mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger was a typical neighbor, often having friendly interactions with those in his Santa Monica apartment complex, neighbors said Tuesday.
"They were the most regular, normal, nice, decent couple I know in LA," one neighbor said Tuesday on KCRW's "UnFictional."
One neighbor recalled, "I miss them," and another said, "I miss their presence."
Many of the neighbors saw the infamous mobster and his girlfriend daily, claiming they took walks together in the evening and occasionally performed random acts of generosity.
The episode, entitled "The Couple in 303," was produced by Gideon Brower, a screenwriter who lived across the street from the couple.
Bulger, 82, and longtime girlfriend, Catherine Greig, were arrested June 22, 2011, by the FBI in a quiet neighborhood in a Santa Monica apartment complex on Third Street.
Bulger, who was on the lam for 16 years, is awaiting trial on suspicion of 19 murders. Greig was sentenced to an eight-year prison term for aiding in his hiding.
Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously reported that building manager Josh Bond said that Bulger allowed him into his apartment and they drank alcohol together. Bulger did not drink with his neighbors, nor did he frequently let neighbors into his apartment. It also misquoted the first neighbor mentioned. That quote has been revised. A misspelling of Catherine Greig's name has also been fixed.
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