Cullen: Critical That FBI Not Only Ones To Question Bulger
BOSTON (CBS) – Now that Whitey Bulger is in custody, the families of his alleged victims hope he'll be able to take "this story to the next level," according to Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen.
"That is, to identify others, corrupt law enforcement officials, politicians, whoever assisted him in his long reign of terror," Cullen told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mary Blake Saturday.
He said there's been at least a half-dozen FBI agents who have been implicated in accepting money, bribes, and gifts from Bulger.
"I've been told over the years that the reason these agents have not faced criminal charges is because there was no corroboration of the stories told by Whitey Bulger's criminal cohorts."
"There is some potential corroboration now, it's name is Whitey Bulger. How much credibility he would have in the eyes of a jury is another person's call."
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It is the beginning of the end, if Bulger, who is now 81, is willing to cooperate with investigators.
"He must sit there, knowing no matter what deal he cuts, he's going to die in custody."
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Cullen noted that "it's very critical" that the FBI cannot be the only agency to question Bulger because "there's an inherent conflict of interest there."
"Getting more information from Bulger about who he used, who he extorted, who he shook down and who he paid off is critical now," Cullen told WBZ.
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"Whitey Bulger has got to be interrogated and de-briefed by people outside the FBI."
Cullen said there are just three people best suited to do that:
State Police Detective Lieutenant Steve Johnson, DEA Special Agent Dan Doherty and Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Wyshak.
"These guys know which questions to ask. When they get Bulger in a room, he will not be able to lead them. They will lead him," Cullen said.
"They are the people who have been the rock of this investigation. They have stayed with it through the years. They know every player. They know every victim."
"If they don't get access to Whitey Bulger, then we will know its par for the course."
