Boston mobster Flemmi testifies in victims’ families suit; says watched Bulger kill girlfriend

September 18th, 2009 Boston mob bosses ordered to pay victim's familyDEDHAM, Mass. — A Massachusetts judge has ordered fugitive mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger and a cohort to pay $15 million each to the family of 26-year-old woman after finding them liable for her 1981 murder.

August 13th, 2009 Federal court OKs suit alleging illegal J&J salesBOSTON — A federal appeals court has revived a multibillion-dollar Medicare fraud case brought by whistle-blowers alleging Johnson & Johnson paid doctors kickbacks to wrongly prescribe an expensive drug. Two former salespeople for the health care giant allege J&J illegally marketed its blockbuster anemia drug Procrit.

August 4th, 2009 Suspended Boston officer sues mayor, commissionerBOSTON — A Boston police officer suspended for using a racial slur to describe black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. claims in a federal lawsuit that his civil rights have been violated.

July 28th, 2009 Prosecutors: Wiretaps show mobster still dangerousCHICAGO — Even at age 85, reputed mobster Sam Volpendesto clearly has a soft spot for the days when Al Capone was boss in Chicago's mob scene. Prosecutors released recordings Monday made by a confidential informant in May 2005.

July 24th, 2009 Judge rules for victims' kin in Mass. mob caseBOSTON — A federal judge in Massachusetts has tentatively awarded nearly $2 million to the families of three people allegedly murdered by fugitive gangster James "Whitey" Bulger and his cohort, Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi.

July 20th, 2009 Boston trolley driver pleads not guilty in crashBOSTON — The former Boston subway operator who authorities say was texting during a crash that injured more than 60 people has pleaded not guilty in the case. Aiden Quinn was arraigned Monday in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of gross negligence by a person in control of a train.

July 16th, 2009 Mass. philanthropist steps up for Madoff victimsBOSTON — A Massachusetts philanthropist who lost most of his personal fortune in the Bernard Madoff scandal has paid $5 million out of his own pocket to restore the retirement savings of employees who lost money in the multibillion dollar scam. Ronald I. Lappin on Wednesday made up for the lost savings of the 60 employees of his company, Shetland Properties Inc., and of his charity, the Robert I.

July 10th, 2009 Boston mobster 'Rifleman' Flemmi describes killingBOSTON — New England mobster Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi on Friday described watching a cohort strangle his girlfriend as a "very traumatic moment" — but then admitted he pulled out her teeth afterward so her body would be difficult to identify. Flemmi, 75, showed no emotion as he described the 1981 killing of Debra Davis, 26, a woman he began dating when she was 17.

July 9th, 2009 Mobster 'Rifleman' Flemmi takes stand in BostonBOSTON — New England mobster Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi described his long relationship with the FBI as an informant during testimony Thursday in wrongful death lawsuits filed by three families who say the FBI failed to control Flemmi and fugitive gangster James "Whitey" Bulger. The families of Deborah Hussey, Debra Davis and Louis Litif say the FBI is responsible for their deaths because it protected Flemmi and Bulger and allowed them to avoid prosecution for their crimes.

June 4th, 2009 Accused mobster with depression gets house arrestROME — A court in Sicily says a man accused of Mafia ties can be held at home instead of jail because he is suffering from depression. Giacomo Iene's lawyer, Giuseppe Lipera, says he has lost 55 pounds (25 kilos) since being arrested in 2006 on charges of Mafia association, and cries constantly.

April 28th, 2009 NEW YORK - Rocker John Mayer has denied reports suggesting he is dating aspiring actress Scheana Marie Jancan. The singer specified that he doesn't have a girlfriend at the moment and is single, reported aceshowbiz.com 'If I had a girlfriend, she would be incredibly offended by me saying, 'I don't have a girlfriend',' he said.

April 24th, 2009 Prosecutors' Craigslist ad seeks victimsBOSTON — Prosecutors have placed an ad on Craigslist in an attempt to find other women who may have been victimized by a medical student accused of killing a masseuse he met through Craigslist. Jake Wark, a spokesman for Suffolk County prosecutors, said Thursday the posting was made in the "erotic services" section of Craigslist.

April 24th, 2009 Boston police Craigslist ad seeks victimsBOSTON — Boston police have placed an ad on Craigslist in an attempt to find other women who may have been victimized by a medical student accused of killing a masseuse he met through Craigslist. Jake Wark, a spokesman for Suffolk County prosecutors, said Thursday the posting was made in the "erotic services" section of Craigslist.

March 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Stealing a motorcycle to impress his girlfriend turned out costly for a 22-year-old man in the capital as he landed in the police net the very next day, police said Thursday. Kailash Kumar, who worked as a painter, was arrested Wednesday by the police for stealing a bike from New Friends Colony in the capital, a police officer said.

January 28th, 2009 LONDON - Anne Hathaway is making fun of her failed relationship with the now imprisoned Italian businessman Raffaello Follieri by playing a crooked clown's girlfriend in hit animated series 'The Simpsons'. Contactmusic.com reports that Hathaway will play Krusty in an upcoming episode where her character testifies in court on behalf of her wrongly-accused boyfriend.