Bulger’s Jailed Girlfriend Dealt Contempt Charge

BOSTON (CN) - Whitey Bulger's girlfriend faces a new contempt charge after refusing to testify about whether she had help keeping the South Boston mobster safe while a fugitive.

Catherine Greig has been serving an eight-year sentence in federal prison since 2012 for identity fraud and for harboring Bulger during his 16 years on the lam.

Since December 2014, Greig has defied order from U.S. District Judge Denise Casper to testify for a federal grand jury investigation into help Bulger received while a fugitive.

"Ms. Greig was ordered by the court to testify before a grand jury about whether others assisted Mr. Bulger while he lived on the lam for 16 years," U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said in a statement. "By refusing to comply with that order, Ms. Greig has committed a new crime and this indictment seeks to hold her accountable. The grand jury is entitled to her testimony and flouting a federal court's order has substantial consequences."

Bulger and Greig were arrested at their home in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 22, 2011. Greig, who was also from South Boston, assumed a new identity with Bulger in 1995 when he fled an impending indictment after an informant in the FBI tipped him off.

Since their arrest, 86-year-old Bulger has been tried and sentenced to two life sentences on racketeering and murder charges. Meanwhile, Greig pleaded guilty to charges related to her 16 years of assisting Bulger while he was fugitive.

"Catherine Greig has yet again failed to do the right thing," Joseph Bonavolonta, acting special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Field Division, said in a statement. "Her refusal to testify has hindered the FBI's efforts to seek justice for the victims of his crimes. Our efforts to find those who assisted them during their lives as fugitives will not stop despite the fact that Ms. Greig has refused to testify."

The charge of criminal contempt provides for a prison sentence to be served subsequent to her current eight-year prison sentence and a fine. There is no fixed maximum penalty for criminal contempt, so courts may impose any sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Prosecutor Ortiz and FBI Agent Bonavolonta made the announcement on Sept. 22. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Murrane of Ortiz's Major Crimes Unit.

Greig is represented by attorney Kevin J. Reddington, who did not respond to a request for comment.

"Black Mass," the Johnny Depp film about Bulger's life, has been in theaters since Friday, earning $23.6 million in its opening weekend.

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