UPDATED: 4:00 p.m.
Today in federal court, a former FBI agent pleaded not guilty to a dozen counts of perjury and obstruction of justice stemming from the 2013 trial of mob boss Whitey Bulger.
1:01 p.m.
A key witness from the 2013 trial of mobster James Whitey Bulger is facing new legal charges of his own in federal court. .
Former FBI agent Robert Fitzpatrick was the first witness called by the defense during Whitey Bulger’s trial two years ago.
He portrayed himself as a principled whistleblower who tried to stop the FBI from enabling Bulger’s crimes, but failed.
Now, the government is charging him with multiple counts of perjury and obstruction of justice — saying he lied repeatedly during his testimony. A hearing in the case is scheduled for this afternoon.
11:50 a.m.
A retired FBI agent who was once second in command in the agency’s Boston office has been accused of lying on the stand during the trial of gangster James “Whitey” Bulger.
The government’s indictment against Robert Fitzpatrick alleges that from 1998 until the present, Fitzpatrick “has falsely held himself out as a whistleblower who tried to end the FBI’s relationship with Bulger.”
He is accused of making false statements “designed to aid Bulger’s defense.”
The indictment unsealed Thursday also alleges that he tried to enhance his own credibility as a former FBI official by making false claims about his professional accomplishments.
The 75-year-old Fitzpatrick is charged with perjury and obstruction. He is due in federal court Thursday afternoon.
His lawyer, Robert Goldstein, did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the accusations.
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11 a.m.
A retired FBI agent who was once second in command in the agency’s Boston office has been arrested on perjury charges and accused of lying on the stand during the trial of gangster James “Whitey” Bulger.
Robert Fitzpatrick surrendered to U.S. marshals Thursday after learning there was a warrant for his arrest.
The 75-year-old Fitzpatrick is charged with six counts of perjury and six counts of obstruction of justice. He is due to appear in federal court on the charges Thursday afternoon.
During Bulger’s 2013 trial, Fitzpatrick testified he tried to convince the FBI to terminate Bulger as an informant, because Bulger didn’t appear to be helping the FBI’s mission to gather information on the Mafia.
Prosecutors suggested he exaggerated his claim to sell copies of a book he wrote about Bulger.
