University president refuses to tell committee about mobster brother

BOSTON | University of Massachusetts President William Bulger on Friday refused to tell a congressional committee whether he’s been in contact with his fugitive mobster brother or if he knows his whereabouts.

Bulger, a colorful and influential powerbroker, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused io answer questions, bringing an abrupt halt to two days of hearings by the committee investigating the FBI’s ties to its mob informants.

“The Fifth Amendment’s basic function is to protect innocent men who might be ensnared by ambiguous circumstances,” Bulger said. “I find myself in such circumstances.”

Rep. Dan Burton, chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform, asked Bulger if he had spoken to his brother — mobster James “Whitey” Bulger — since 1995, the year Whitey Bulger fled as he was about to be indicted on federal corruption charges. Burton also wanted to know if Bulger knew where his brother is.

University of Massachusetts President William Bulger pleaded the fifth Amendment to questions about his fugitive brother.

Whitey Bulger disappeared in January 1995 after former FBI Agent John J. Connolly Jr. told him he was about to be indicted. Connolly, who grew up in the same neighborhood as the Bulger brothers, was convicted earlier this year for tipping off Bulger and other mobsters about their indictments.

Bulger, 68. testified before a grand jury last year that he talked with his brother in a prearranged phone call at a friend’s house shortly after Whitey Bulger fled, but maintains he hasn’t had contact with him since.

“If they cannot have one Bulger, we fear they will have another,” said Bulger’s lawyer, Thomas R. Kiley.

Kiley also said the UMass president feels “a brother’s love” and “a brother’s ache” for the way Whitey Bulger, 73, has lived his life.

Burton said after the hearing dial he was disappointed that the committee was not able to get answers from Bulger.

“I understand that Whitey Bulger is his brother, but he’s one of the 10 most wanted fugitives in the United States.” Burton said.

He likened William Bulger’s situation to the dilemma faced by David Kaczynski, the brother of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, who turned in his brother.

“I’m sure he was torn, too. Nevertheless, he put concerns of die American people above his personal loyalty to his brother,” Burton said.

Whitey Bulger was the leader of the Winter Hill Gang and a top-echelon informant who provided the FBI with information about the New England faction of the Italian Mafia.