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Man who inspired 'The Departed' caught

The Boston mob boss who inspired the film "The Departed" was captured in L.A. after 16 years on the run.
FBI handout or former fugitive James Bulger
FBI handout or former fugitive James Bulger

The Boston mob boss who inspired the film "The Departed" was captured in L.A. after 16 years on the run. The FBI finally snatched up James "Whitey" Bulger and his longtime girlfriend, Catherine Greig, yesterday at an apartment in Santa Monica.

The couple was living under the aliases Charles and Carol Gasko. The FBI found very large amounts of cash and guns at their home.

Feds can thank daytime TV viewers for the tip off. On Tuesday, the government began circulating ads with Greig picture during shows like The View and Regis and Kelly. The on-going saga has been embarrassing for the FBI and the hunt exposed the organization’s sometimes too cozy ties with informants.

Bulger, now 81-years-old, was wanted for 19 murders. He rose to No. 1 on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list after Osama bin Laden was killed. Bulger faces murder charges in Miami and Oklahoma, in addition to federal charges in Boston. Both states have the death penalty.