Ex-FBI agent convicted of aiding New England mob

By DENISE LAVOIE, Associated Press

BOSTON -May 28, 2002

A former FBI agent who spent years cultivating mob informants was convicted Tuesday of protecting gangsters and warning three of them they were about to be indicted.

John J. Connolly Jr., 61, showed no emotion as he was found guilty on four of the five counts he faced, including racketeering, obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI. He was acquitted of obstruction of justice.

He could get up to 45 years in prison at sentencing Aug. 7, but sentencing guidelines call for much less time. He was released on $200,000 bail.

Connolly left the courthouse without comment.

The allegations that FBI agents in Boston had become too chummy with mobsters were a major embarrassment for the bureau that prompted changes in how informants are handled.

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