Informant to gangster to leave prison

BOSTON — A former FBI agent convicted of second-degree murder for leaking information to Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger that led to the shooting death of a gambling executive will be released from prison on medical grounds, officials ruled Wednesday.

The Florida Commission on Offender Review voted 2-1 in favor of releasing 80-year-old John Connolly, who has cancer and is believed to have less than a year to live.

Connolly, who was Bulger’s FBI handler, was sentenced to 40 years behind bars after being convicted in 2008 in the killing of World Jai Alai President John Callahan in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 1982. Connolly tipped off Bulger and another gangster, Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi, that Callahan was about to implicate the gang in a killing, authorities said.

Connolly was also found guilty in 2002 of tipping off Bulger, Flemmi and former New England mob boss Francis “Cadillac Fran” Salemme in late 1994 that they were about to be indicted. Connolly’s tip allowed Bulger to flee and spend the next 16 years on the lam. Connolly served 10 years in prison in that case.

Connolly’s case damaged the FBI’s reputation and prompted changes, like stricter guidelines for handling criminal informants. Connolly and Bulger’s relationship helped inspire the 2006 Martin Scorsese film, “The Departed.”

In a statement, Callahan’s son said he is not opposed to Connolly’s release, given his prognosis. Callahan’s wife, Mary, also did not object.