FBI releases new Bulger pictures, increases reward

BOSTON -- The FBI is marking fugitive mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger's 79th birthday by doubling the reward for information leading to his capture to $2 million.

Bulger, the former head of the notorious Winter Hill Gang and an FBI informant, fled in January 1995 after being tipped by a former Boston FBI agent that he was about to be indicted on federal racketeering charges. He was later charged in connection with 19 murders.

The FBI announced the new reward on Wednesday with federal prosecutors, state police and state prisons officials.

Bulger, on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list, provided the FBI with information on his gang's main rival, the New England mob, in an era when bringing down the Mafia was one of the bureau's top national priorities.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)