Bulger's Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit In 2018 Killing

BOSTON — The Federal Bureau of Prisons failed to protect former Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger by moving him to a West Virginia prison where he was killed on the day of his arrival, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court last week.

The lawsuit was filed by former state Senate President William Bulger, who is the executor of his brother's estate. The lawsuit names the bureau and 30 unnamed employees at United States Penitentiary-Hazelton, a federal prison in West Virginia, as defendants.

Bulger, 89, was killed by other inmates on the day he was transferred to Hazelton in 2018.

The lawsuit said the bureau knew Bulger had been labeled a "snitch" and was a potential target by other inmates. The bureau, the complaint said, put Bulger in danger by moving him to a prison nicknamed "Misery Mountain" for its widespread inmate violence.

The lawsuit claims correctional officers at Hazelton are "trained to maintain officer safety and not intervene when there is inmate on inmate violence." The lawsuit said the prison is "continually understaffed" and that officials acknowledge Hazelton is a "'gang run' yard."

"Carrying the label of both 'snitch' and 'chomo' and having such allegations so publicized put James Bulger, Jr. at extremely high risk of serious injury or death at the hands of inmates," the lawsuit said. "Predictably, within hours of his placement in general population at Hazelton, inmates believed to be from New England and who are alleged to have Mafia ties or loyalties, killed James Bulger, Jr. utilizing methods that included the use of a lock in a sock-type weapon."

Bulger was the leader of Boston's former Winter Hill Gang and serving life in prison for 11 murders. He was a fugitive for nearly 16 years before he was arrested in 2011.

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).