'Whitey' Bulger's Girlfriend Pleads Not Guilty

The longtime girlfriend of reputed Boston crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger pleaded not guilty Thursday to helping him elude authorities during his 16 years as a fugitive.

Catherine Greig, 60, entered her plea in a brief appearance in federal court in Boston that lasted less than five minutes. She also waived a reading of the indictment.

Greig was indicted last week on a charge of conspiracy to harbor and conceal a fugitive. Greig has been jailed since she and Bulger were captured in June in Santa Monica, Calif. Bulger has pleaded not guilty to participating in 19 murders.

Prosecutors say Greig actively helped Bulger escape capture, but her attorney says she's a subservient woman who wasn't aware of the extent of Bulger's alleged crimes when she fled with him.

On Thursday, Greig smiled at her twin sister when she entered the courtroom. She did not speak during the hearing, except to tell the judge she understood the charges against her and was ready to enter her plea.

After the hearing, Greig's attorney Kevin Reddington was asked if Greig was cooperating with authorities against Bulger.

"Not while I'm representing her," Reddington said. "She's going to trial on the case — that's it."

Greig is due back in court for a status conference on Sept. 29.

Last month, Greig agreed to be voluntarily detained while her attorneys gathered appraisals for two houses she plans to put up as collateral for bail. On Thursday, Reddington told U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal that he's still gathering information to support the bail request.

After the hearing, Reddington said he'll ask for Greig to be released on bail.

"Where’s she going to go?" Reddington asked. "Her sister is putting up the property and as I say she is looking forward to putting this behind her. I think she’s an excellent bail candidate."

The crime of conspiracy to harbor and conceal a fugitive carries a maximum of five years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

With reporting from The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom