BOSTON (AP) — The U.S. Marshals Service is disputing an estimate that it cost taxpayers almost $14,000 to transport James “Whitey” Bulger to court by helicopter.
The former reputed crime boss was flown to Boston aboard a Coast Guard helicopter Thursday for court hearings. A Coast Guard petty officer said then the hourlong round trip flight from the Plymouth jail cost about $13,800.
In a statement Friday, the Marshals Service said the cost associated with the transport was $1,500.
Petty Officer Luke Clayton said Friday that the flight was actually about 40 minutes, so cost about $9,200. But he said that was not an extra cost because if the helicopter had not been used to carry Bulger, it would have been used for a training flight or another mission. He said the $1,500 is the fuel cost, included in the $9,200.
