When police finally tracked down Whitey Bulger in 2011, they found, $821,799.49 in the infamous Boston gangster’s Santa Monica, Calif., apartment.
They also found a 1986 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup ring.
Bulger isn’t fighting to keep the near-$1 million stash (or most of his other possessions) as jurors deliberated 32 racketeering charges against the 83-year-old, but that ring — that’s apparently worth holding onto.
According to court documents shared by Jim Armstrong of Boston CBS affiliate WBZ, Bulger waived the right to have a jury decide whether he should keep the cash, weapons and other personal effects found in Apartment 303 at 1012 Third Street. But he asked to keep the ring, which was specifically excluded from the items Bulger had to forfeit.
PHOTO: An NHL Stanley Cup ring, similar to one that was in the possession of "Whitey" Bulger http://t.co/WTl0u7FLKB pic.twitter.com/FJE6x5eRnB
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) August 12, 2013
According to WBZ, the ring was a gift from Chris “Knuckles” Nilan, a right wing who had 19 goals and 15 assists for that 1985-86 team, which beat Calgary in five games in the Stanley Cup finals. Boston.com reported that Bulger paid for Nilan's wedding to Karen Stanley, the daughter of Bulger's late girlfriend, Teresa Stanley.
Earlier this month, Bulger’s defense team released a photo of Bulger and Nilan next to the Stanley Cup:
@danmcgowan per your request... evidence photo of bulger with former Bruin Chris Nilan. pic.twitter.com/jGHF6GhkEr
— Tim White (@white_tim) August 12, 2013
It’s interesting, to say the least, that Bulger is so willing to part with his fortune (however illegally he may have obtained it) while remaining so set on keeping his beloved ring. But I guess you just can’t put a price on sentimentality — even when you’re a notorious gangster.
