Review: The Threat (the McCabe book)

The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump by Andrew G. McCabe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

More FBI insights in the age of Trump
A worthwhile listen, although I confess to tiring of reading more on Trump's antics. I chose this book, as it essentially picks up where James Comey's account left off. With Comey fired, McCabe began the acting director of the FBI, but not for long. Cruelly and vindictively fired just hours before he would have received his pension, Americans have McCabe to thank for getting Robert Meuller installed as special investigator - and ensuring he couldn't be axed. Bit of a nail biter on that front. Lots of FBI and White House insights.

View all my reviews

Whitey Bulger meets his end

Because odd things interest me...

The other night I heard the breaking news, that "former mobster, FBI informant and fugitive Whitey Bulger was brutally murdered, in custody, just one day after being transferred to a different prison...".

Hmmm.... I'd heard that name before, and am always intrigued by clandestine goings on, so went to refresh myself. It turns out I only knew part of the story. Here it is, in a nutshell:

The headline

James Joseph "Whitey" Bulger Jr., the Irish-American organized crime boss and Boston gangster, serving two life sentences after 16 years as a fugitive, was brutally murdered on Tuesday, at age 89, one day after being transferred to a federal prison in Virginia.

Bulger's Alcatraz mugshot

Early crime and punishment

Bulger first went to jail for armed robbery and truck hijacking in 1956. He spent nine years in prison, including a stint at Alcatraz.

After his release in 1965, Bulger worked as a labourer before becoming a bookmaker and loan shark under Donald Killeen, the leader of the dominant Boston mob, The Killeens.

In 1971, the FBI approached Bulger and attempted to recruit him as an informant, initially as part of their effort against the Patriarca family.

The fugitive

In December 1994, Bulger was informed by retired FBI Agent and former handler John Connolly that the FBI was set to make arrests during the Christmas season. In response, Bulger fled Boston on December 23, 1994, and began his life as a fugitive.

In 1997, while Bulger was on the run, criminal actions by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials tied to Bulger were exposed by the media, causing the FBI great embarrassment. Disgraced FBI agent, John Connolly, was convicted and jailed in 2002.

Manhunt

In the ensuing years, FBI agents chased down sightings, both confirmed (London) and unconfirmed (Sicily, Uruguay).

An off-duty Boston police officer spotted Bulger at a San Diego screening of The Departed, the 2006 Martin Scorsese film in which the character of Frank Costello, played by Jack Nicholson, is loosely based on Bulger, but he eluded capture.

The FBI also initiated a number searches based on Bulger's interests.

FBI agents staked out 60th anniversary Battle of Normandy ceremonies, looking for Bulger, a military history fan.

In 2010, in their pursuit of Bulger, a known book lover, the FBI visited bookstores in the Victoria (British Columbia) area. FBI agents questioned employees and distributed wanted posters.

Capture

Bulger lived as a fugitive for 16 years, spending 12 years on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The US$2 million reward offered for information leading to Bulger's capture, was second only to Osama Bin Laden's capture reward.

Bulger was featured on America's Most Wanted more than a dozen times.

In 2011, the FBI ran a successful media campaign featuring Bulger's girlfriend, Catherine Greig, that broke the case.

The tip came from Iceland. Anna Björnsdóttir, a former model, actress, and Miss Iceland (1974), who had lived in Bulger's neighborhood in Santa Monica, recognized Greig when CNN ran a story on the campaign.

On June 22, 2011, the FBI used a ruse to lure the 81 year old Bulger, out of his apartment and arrested him, along with his girlfriend (Greig remains in prison for harbouring a fugitive).

Confessions

Bulger visted Alcatraz twice: once as a prisoner, and again,
as a tourist, while he was a fugitive. He and his girlfriend
even had their photos taken "behind bars".

Following his arrest, Bulger revealed that rather than living as a recluse, he had in fact traveled quite a bit, including frequent trips to Mexico to buy heart medication.

He even returned to Alcatraz as a tourist and had the obligatory souvenir photograph taken behind bars, wearing a striped suit.

Conviction

At his trial, Bulger pled not guilty to 48 charges, including 19 counts of murder, extortion, money laundering, obstruction of justice, perjury, narcotics distribution and weapons violations.

In November 2013, Bulger was convicted on 31 counts, including 11 murders, and received two life sentences, plus additional years.

Murder (aka THE END)

Bulger was moved to the Federal Penitentiary in West Virginia on October 29, 2018. Just 1 day later, on October 30th, he was killed.

Three prisoners were captured on a security camera, pushing Bulger's wheelchair out of the frame. The grisly murder, using a smuggled weapon concealed in a sock, took place shortly thereafter.


Related resources
Grim New Details About Whitey Bulger's Death Revealed - Huffington Post
Whitey Bulger’s Fatal Prison Beating: ‘He Was Unrecognizable’ - New York Times
Whitey Bulger's attackers tried to cut out his tongue, federal official says - CNN
What Inmates Are Saying About the Brutal Prison Hit on Whitey Bulger - Vice
Ex-con claims feds wanted to get rid of James Whitey Bulger - New York Post
Juror who helped send Whitey Bulger to prison is deeply saddened by killing - NY Post
This man may have waited 38 years for his revenge on Whitey Bulger - NY Post

Review: A Higher Loyalty (the Comey book)

A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by the recently departed FBI Director.

Although I expected to be intrigued by the most recent goings on (his firing, and the fallout), I was actually more engaged when listening to his personal and professional life up to that point.

I found the insights into how the FBI works fascinating, while I founds insights as to how DC works (or doesn't) even more bizarre than I expected.

Most importantly, I found James Comey to be honest and credible. He is a man of strong convictions ~ and I liked them. Mostly, I believe him, and have no doubt as to the lack of integrity of the fool that fired him.

View all my reviews

Review: Priceless - How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures

Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures by Robert K. Wittman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As an art lover, I have always been fascinated by stolen art and forgeries. Who did it? Why? How? Where is the work now? Is it hanging on some rich person's wall? (and who does that anyway?!?!). Is it stuffed in a garage somewhere? Did someone stash it somewhere and then die? Can it be covered before it is destroyed and lost forever?

FASCINATING STUFF. If this interests you as much as me, you'll probably enjoy Priceless. It was pretty interesting to learn about how major heists were resolved. It was freaky to learn about works almost recovered and then the opportunity lost due to turf wars and egos. Regardless, listen and you will travel the world in pursuit of lost treasures.

The book was written as a memoir, so it includes the background as to how the FBI's first art sleuth got to his post, which was not what I might have imagined.

It was heartening to learn that the priority was on recovering works first, and catching the bad guys second.

It was equally disheartening to hear about how the art crimes division would fall out of favour, and an intelligent and dedicated agent would be bounced around supervisors that didn't get or appreciate art. But all in all, interesting tales, and a good listen for art and mystery lovers.

View all my reviews