On two previous occasions, Bulger was driven to Boston from the jail where he's being held in Plymouth.
BOSTON — It was an expensive ride to court for James "Whitey" Bulger.
The former reputed mob boss was flown to Boston aboard a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter on Thursday for a pair of hearings in U.S. District Court, at a cost to taxpayers of nearly $14,000.
On two previous occasions since his arrest in California last week, Bulger was driven the approximately 40 miles to Boston from the jail where he's being held in Plymouth.
Federal authorities would not say what prompted the change in transport on Thursday.
The Coast Guard says the cost of the helicopter is $13,800 an hour and funds used to support federal missions paid for the flight.
Tom Donahue, the son of a man allegedly killed by Bulger, said he could not understand why Bulger was brought by helicopter and found it "disgusting."
