CLARKSBURG, W.Va. â Inmate Sentenced for Role in James âWhiteyâ Bulger’s Death
An inmate was sentenced to over four years on Thursday for his involvement in the 2018 fatal bludgeoning of notorious Boston gangster James âWhiteyâ Bulger at a troubled federal prison in West Virginia.
Massachusetts gangster Paul J. DeCologero received the sentence in federal court after pleading guilty to an assault charge, facing a maximum of 10 years in prison. DeCologero was already serving a 25-year sentence since 2006 for buying heroin to attempt to kill a teenage girl.
Initially, prosecutors claimed that DeCologero and inmate Fotios âFreddyâ Geas used a lock attached to a belt to repeatedly hit Bulger in the head shortly after his transfer to USP Hazelton from another facility in Florida.
However, during the sentencing, both the prosecution and defense stated that DeCologero only served as a lookout and did not physically assault Bulger.
US District Judge Thomas Kleeh deemed the sentence fair and appropriate, striking a balance in the court’s decision-making.
DeCologero, 50, chose not to address the court, but his defense attorney conveyed an apology from DeCologero to Bulger’s family and his own relatives. The attorney described DeCologero as a victim of a troubled upbringing.
DeCologero was taken in by an uncle who involved him in a criminal organization, according to the defense attorney.
In relation to Bulger’s killing, the defense attorney admitted DeCologero’s involvement but stated that his role was limited. Assistant US Attorney Brandon Flower declined to comment post-sentencing.
It was revealed that inmates had prior knowledge of Bulger’s arrival at Hazelton. One inmate disclosed that DeCologero had planned to kill Bulger upon his arrival, considering him a snitch.
DeCologero and Geas spent approximately seven minutes in Bulger’s cell, with Geas physically assaulting him while DeCologero acted as a lookout and helped conceal the body. DeCologero’s DNA was found on blankets in the cell.
Geas faces charges of murder and conspiracy, with a potential life sentence. Another inmate involved in the case pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents and was released with credit for time served.
The Justice Department’s investigation highlighted management failures that led to Bulger’s death and prompted legislative changes for better oversight and transparency within the Bureau of Prisons.
Bulger, a former Boston mob boss and FBI informant, was convicted of multiple crimes and spent years as a fugitive before his capture in 2011.
DeCologero and Geas were suspects in Bulger’s death for years before being formally charged. The incident shed light on the issues of violence and understaffing within the prison system.
The case of James âWhiteyâ Bulger’s death continues to reveal systemic problems within the federal prison system, prompting calls for reform and increased oversight.
Bulger’s criminal history, including his role as an FBI informant, has been a subject of controversy and investigation. The impact of his death has raised questions about the management of high-profile inmates within the prison system.
The sentencing of DeCologero and the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Bulger’s death underscore the complexities of the criminal justice system and the need for accountability in such cases.
