Former Federal Prosecutor: Bulger Will Get Public Defender

BOSTON — James “Whitey” Bulger will return to federal court this week after making an initial court appearance last Friday.

The former South Boston crime boss is asking for a court-appointed attorney.

At least one former federal prosecutor thinks Bulger will eventually get a team of lawyers paid for by taxpayers.

Thomas Frongillo, who prosecuted cases for the New England Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, says the government has the difficult challenge of proving Bulger has the financial means to pay for his own defense without using money he allegedly earned through illegal activities.

At the same time, federal authorities have seized the $800,000 in cash taken from Bulger’s Santa Monica, Calif., apartment.

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