Bulger's associates no strangers to justice system

BOSTON -- Three of James ‘Whitey’ Bulger's top associates have already gone through the justice system.

Kevin Weeks, Stephen Flemmi, and John Connolly are three of Whitey Bulger's most famous associates.

Two are still in federal prison.

The other, who helped police in the investigation, is a free man and an author.

Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi joined the Winter Hill Gang in the 1960's and ultimately served as one of Bulger's closest business partners.

Flemmi was arrested in 1995 on racketeering and extortion charges.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison as part of a plea deal.

In 2004, Flemmi pleaded guilty to 10 counts of murder and is now serving a life sentence.

Kevin Weeks was another of Bulger's top associates.

Reports indicated Whitey had actually been training Weeks to be his successor.

Weeks was arrested in 1999 on accusations of racketeering.

After two weeks behind bars, he agreed to cooperate with authorities.

Back in 2000, he led investigators to the bodies of several victims allegedly killed by Bulger.

Weeks was released from federal prison in 2005 and has written books about his involvement with Bulger.

Prosecutors say Bulger initially went on the lam after being tipped off about his pending indictment by childhood friend and FBI agent John Connolly, junior.

He made Bulger an FBI informant back in 1975.

Connolly was convicted of racketeering nine years ago for protecting Bulger and Flemmi.

In 2008, Connolly was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a gambling executive.

Connolly was sentenced to 10 years in prison for racketeering and 40 years for the second-degree murder conviction.

The 70-year-old Connolly will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

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