Whitey Bulger's Girlfriend Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison
BOSTON (CBS) — The longtime girlfriend of Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger was sentenced to eight years in prison Tuesday afternoon.
61-year-old Catherine Greig was also fined $150,000. She showed no emotion upon learning her fate.
Greig pleaded guilty back in March to charges of conspiracy to harbor a fugitive, identity fraud and conspiracy to commit identity fraud.
CHECK: Catherine Greig's Notebook
Before sentencing her Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Woodlock said that Greig's role in helping Bulger stay on the run for 16 years involved "more than mere harboring."
"The defendant is capable of making her own choices and had a long time to make her own choices," he told Greig moments before handing down her sentence.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports
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Prosecutors had asked for ten years in prison for Greig. Her attorney wanted just 27 months.
Greig chose not to speak before her sentence was handed down, but five relatives of those who prosecutors say were killed or threatened by Bulger delivered brief, but emotional victim impact statements.
Steven Davis, the brother of alleged Bulger murder victim Debra Davis, pushed for the maximum penalty, saying in court, "She never had the heart to look any of us in the eye. Catherine, you dirty b(expletive)."
"Good to see a judge finally put the hammer down a little bit," Tommy Donahue, the son of another alleged Bulger victim, told reporters outside court after the sentencing.
"I actually thought it was going to be less," his mother Patricia said, adding that she was pleased with the length of the sentence.
WBZ-TV's Kate Merrill Has Reaction Outside Court
Greig did not look at any of the alleged victims during Tuesday's hearing.
Bulger, 82, is waiting for his trial in November on 19 murder charges.
He and Greig were captured in June 2011 in Santa Monica, California.
Asked if Grieg had any regrets at all, her attorney Kevin Reddington told reporters, "no."
"Eight years is a very significant sentence," U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz told reporters.
"This was not a romantic saga," she added. "We believe the sentence imposed addressed the severity of the crimes."
"Now she's paying the price for the choices that she made."
Greig was taken to Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility after sentencing on Tuesday.
Reddington said he expects Greig to serve her time at a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut.
