Whitey
Bulger
Timeline
1929
Born on September 3 in Dorchester.
1938
Moving to South Boston
After Bulger's father, James Sr., loses his arm, the family moves to the Mary Ellen McCormack Housing Project, now the Old Harbor Village, seen here in a 1941 Boston City Archives photo.
1943
James Bulger is arrested for the first time, charged with larceny.
1948
Bulger is released from a juvenile reformatory and joins the U.S. Air Force. After several assaults and being arrested for going AWOL, he is dishonorably discharged in 1952.
1956
While in prison in Atlanta, Bulger volunteers for the MK-ULTRA program, wherein scientists dose him and other inmates with LSD and other drugs to research mind-control for the CIA.
1956
Alcatraz
Bulger is transferred to Alcatraz. He was released from prison after nine years in 1965. (AP photo)
1960s
Works as a bookie and a loanshark for the South Boston crime boss Donald Killeen.
1972
After the bloody Killeen-Mullen Gang War, organized crime in South Boston is controlled by Somerville's Howie Winter, and his Winter Hill Gang, of which Bulger is now a member.
1974
Bulger partners with Stevie "The Rifleman" Flemmi.
1975
Bulger becomes an FBI informant, as Flemmi had been for years.
1978
Whitey's brother, William "Billy" Bulger, a state legislator since 1961, is elected Massachusetts State Senate President, a role he would hold until 1996.
1979
After Howie Winter is arrested on horserace fixing charges, Bulger and Flemmi take control of the Winter Hill Gang, moving its HQ to Lancaster Street in Boston.
1981
The FBI bugs 98 Prince St. based on information provided by Bulger and Flemmi.
1984
Stippo's
Bulger and Flemmi buy the South Boston Liquor Mart for $67,000 from Stephen "Stippo" Rakes, allegedly under force. (AP photo)
1986
Angiulo is convicted of racketeering, loansharking and other charges, and sentenced to 45 years in prison, allowing Bulger and Flemmi to allegedly seize control of organized crime in Boston.
1991
Claims part of winning $14 million lottery ticket, bought at Stippo's, with three others.
1994
In December, FBI Agent Connolly tips Bulger off to the fact that Bulger was due to be arrested.
1994
Bulger goes on the lam.
1996
Gov. Bill Weld appoints Billy Bulger president of the University of Massachusetts.
2000
UMass, with Billy Bulger as president, hosts a presidential debate between Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore. In the background, investigators can be seen digging up parts of Dorchester to find the remains of Whitey Bulger's alleged victims.
2003
Gov. Mitt Romney forces Billy Bulger to resign as UMass president after Bulger testifies he had spoken to Whitey by phone in 1995.
2011
Capture
Bulger and Greig are captured in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP photo)
