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Whitey Bulger's Politician Brother Back in Spotlight

William Bulger was president of state Senate, Massachusetts University

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 25, 2011 2:27 PM CDT

(Newser) – Whitey Bulger saw at least one familiar face in court yesterday: his brother, William, the former president of the Massachusetts Senate who steadfastly refused to help authorities bring in his brother. The former fugitive mouthed "hello" and nodded. The reunion of sorts has led to a spate of stories along the tale-of-two-brothers vein, exploring how the Boston natives rose to power in their chosen fields. See the Boston Globe and AP.

“You’ve got to understand something," said one of William's friends. “We’re South Boston people, and when you grow up in Southie, the cardinal virtue is loyalty. ... And you think he wouldn’t be there today?" William eventually became president of the University of Massachusetts but resigned in 2003 amid pressure from Gov. Mitt Romney and others over what the Globe describes as his "cavalier" attitude toward his brother. "It’s my hope that I’m never helpful to anyone against him," he once told a grand jury. "I don’t feel an obligation to help everyone to catch him."

This booking photograph, obtained by WBUR 90.9 - NPR Radio Boston, shows James 'Whitey' Bulger.
This booking photograph, obtained by WBUR 90.9 - NPR Radio Boston, shows James 'Whitey' Bulger.   (AP Photo/WBUR 90.9)
Former Mass. Senate President William Bulger is escorted from the federal courthouse.
Former Mass. Senate President William Bulger is escorted from the federal courthouse.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Former Mass. Senate President William Bulger is escorted from the federal courthouse after his brother's appearance.
Former Mass. Senate President William Bulger is escorted from the federal courthouse after his brother's appearance.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
This 1953 Boston police booking photo shows James Whitey Bulger after an arrest.
This 1953 Boston police booking photo shows James "Whitey" Bulger after an arrest.   (AP Photo/Boston Police via The Boston Globe)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 2 comments
Chitrix
Jun 25, 2011 6:49 PM CDT
My deepest respect to theses two brothers One may be a criminal but the other never allowed the line of family loyalty to be tread upon That type loyalty deserves respect.......................................... Family should protect family and not be asked to violate a trust It is a forgotten thing true loyalty
 

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