Whitey Bulger and former NHL player Chris Nilan with the Stanley Cup. Nilan was Teresa Stanley’s son-in-law.
Credit: Carney & Bassil
James “Whitey” Bulger is willing to part with more than $800,000 if found guilty, but he doesn’t want anyone else to get his Stanley Cup ring.
The 83-year-old alleged former mob boss is waiting for the jury deciding his fate to reach a verdict on charges including murder, extortion, racketeering and other crimes.
Bulger, on Friday, waived his right to a jury trial to decide his asset forfeiture if he is found guilty. On Monday, the waiver form that Bulger signed was made public and showed that the government and Bulger’s attorney agreed that all of the items found when Bulger was arrested in Santa Monica will be up for forfeiture except for a Stanley Cup ring.
“The parties have agreed to exclude a Stanley Cup ring, which the defendant contends was a gift to him by a third party,” according to the form.
When Bulger was arrested in 2011, federal agents found a small cache of weapons and nearly $822,000 hidden inside his apartment. Those items, along with all jewelry, electronics, art and other possessions found in the apartment could be forfeited if he is found guilty.
Because Bulger waived his right to a jury trial in the matter, Judge Denise Casper will decide the forfeiture issue once a verdict is returned.
It was not made clear who gave Bugler the Stanley Cup ring, but he was seen in pictures posing with the Stanley Cup with former NHL player Chris Nilan.
J. W. Carney, Jr., Bulger’s attorney, has said that Bulger would be willing to give up his $822,000 as long as it went to the families of his alleged victims.
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.
