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Press Release

Bulger Companion Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Criminal Contempt

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – Catherine Greig, the longtime companion of convicted killer James “Whitey” Bulger, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with her refusal to testify before a federal grand jury.  The investigation centered on whether others assisted her and Bulger during the 16 years they were fugitives from justice. 

“Ms. Greig had a choice – to either assist or defy a Court Order.  She had complete control over her own fate.  Her repeated defiance translated into criminal contempt and has ultimately cost her more time in prison,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.  “First, her role in harboring James Bulger, a murderer, resulted in the victims’ families being forced to lie in wait for justice.  Then Ms. Greig’s continued and deliberate effort to protect accomplices extended the injustice, and she will now face the consequences of that decision.”

“The FBI has never wavered in its pursuit to bring Catherine Greig to justice,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  “Today’s sentence shows that defying a court order and refusing to testify about who harbored, or otherwise assisted her life on the run with Mr. Bulger, is not without consequence.  Her actions adversely impacted the government’s efforts to seek answers for Bulger’s victims, and hold accountable anyone who may have helped them during their sixteen years as fugitives.”

Ms. Greig, 64, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to 21 months in prison to be served consecutively to her current sentence, and three years of supervised release to be served concurrent to the term imposed during her prior conviction.  In February 2016, she pleaded guilty to one count of criminal contempt.   

Greig is currently serving an eight year sentence for her 2012 conviction of identity fraud and harboring James J. Bulger.  The sentence imposed today will be served after she completes her initial eight year sentence.

U.S. Attorney Ortiz and FBI SAC Shaw made the announcement today.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary B. Murrane of Ortiz’s Criminal Division. 

Updated April 28, 2016