A sports memorabilia dealer in Peabody, Massachusetts is trying to sell a prison jumpsuit he claims was worn by notorious mobster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger and is signed by the convicted criminal. However, Plymouth County Sheriff Joe McDonald insists that it is not real.
Phil Castinetti, the owner of Sportsworld, claims that the orange jumpsuit was sold to him by a former cellmate of Bulger’s. It has “James Whitey Bulger” written on the jumpsuit in marker, with a serial number and a signature by Bulger.
McDonald told WCVB in Boston that inmates are never allowed to leave with prison outfits, other than county-issued socks and underwear. He also noted that the nickname ‘Whitey’ being on the jumpsuit is a big sign that it was a fake.
"Bulger never went by 'Whitey.’ He never used it. He hated the nickname,” McDonald said.
Castinetti told WCVB that Bulger signed ‘Whitey’ so it could be worth more to his cellmate. Another inmate also called him to say that he witnessed Bulger signing the suit.
John Birtwell, a spokesman for the sheriff, told Reuters that this story also can’t be true because Bulger has had no contact with prisoners while awaiting trial.
“The only time he had to interact with other individuals is if he was being escorted to medical to have his blood pressure checked. So, I'm about 99.4 percent sure it's a fake,” Birtwell said.
Castinetti started the auction at $25,000.
Bulger’s story is currently being played out on the big screen in Black Mass. He is serving two life sentences in prison.