Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Whitey Bulger and the FBI, Media Hacking, and LA Tax Breaks
Former head of Rupert Murdoch’s British newspapers, has avoided jail time. The Los Angeles City Council is considering giving 180 million dollars in tax breaks to luxury developments downtown. 2014, is the worst year for car recalls in the US. And, we talk to the director of a new documentary about the FBI’s relationship with mobster Whitey Bulger.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenRebekah Brooks, the former head of Rupert Murdoch’s British newspapers, has avoided jail time in the phone hacking scandal that caused an uproar in England. Plus: The Los Angeles City Council is considering giving 180 million dollars in tax breaks to two luxury high-rise developments downtown, even-though big-name developers and investors are already backing the projects. Also, we haven’t quite reached the halfway point of 2014, but already it’s been the worst year ever for car recalls in the United States. And we talk to the director of a new documentary that looks at the FBI’s relationship with mobster Whitey Bulger.
Banner Image: James "Whitey" Bulger 1959 mugshot
In this episode
5 storiesHacking Scandal
Rebekah Brooks, the former head of Rupert Murdoch’s British newspapers, has avoided jail time in the phone hacking scandal that caused an uproar in England. Brooks was acquitted, but her former editor Andy Coulson, who later became head of communications for British Prime Minister David Cameron, is facing jail time.
Read the story8 minDowntown Tax Breaks
The Los Angeles City Council is considering giving 180 million dollars in tax breaks to two luxury high-rise developments downtown, even-though big-name developers and investors are already backing the projects.
Read the story8 minWorst Year for Recalls
We haven’t quite reached the halfway point of 2014, but already it’s been the worst year ever for car recalls in the United States. We take a look at why, and we discuss a new parking app that’s described as “an Air BNB for parking.”
Read the story9 minWhitey Bulger Documentary
Yesterday, a nice little two-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica went up for rent. The previous tennant - James “Whitey” Bulger - vacated rather suddenly when the feds arrested the notorious Boston mobster at that apartment three years ago.
Read the story14 minThe Couple in 303
Before the FBI finally caught up with mobster Whitey Bulger, he lived under an assumed name in Santa Monica. He and his girlfriend shared an apartment under the names Charles and Carol Gasko. And - as it turns out - one of their neighbors was producer Gideon Brower.
Read the story8 min
