Former FBI star agent jailed for warning mob of raids

A FORMER FBI agent who tipped off two mobsters that they were about to be indicted has been jailed for more than 10 years in a case that exposed an overly cosy relationship between the bureau and its underworld informants.

The case against agent John Connolly proved a major embarrassment to the FBI and led to new Justice Department guidelines for handling informants.

Connolly, 62, yesterday declined the an opportunity to speak at his sentencing. He blew a kiss to his wife and other family members in the courtroom as he was led away without handcuffs. Under federal rules, he must serve at least eight-and-half years.

Connolly was considered a star agent for his help in breaking up the New England Mafia in the 1970s and 1980s by using information he got from top-echelon FBI informants James "Whitey" Bulger and Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi, leaders of the Winter Hill Gang, a Boston Irish mob.

But a jury found that Connolly become too close to his informants and went too far to protect them.

Connolly was convicted in May of racketeering, obstruction of justice and lying to an FBI agent for tipping off Bulger and Flemmi about criminal investigations and warning them about a forthcoming indictment in 1995.