Former FBI Agent Connolly To Be Sentenced

BOSTON -- Former FBI agent John Connolly is expected to learn Monday how long he'll be going prison for racketeering and tipping off mobsters about federal investigations.

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Watch Gail Huff's Report

Over the past several months, dozens of people have tried to influence the judge in the case.

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that the prosecution was able to prove in court that Connolly, 62, was guilty. They claimed all along that he was an agent on the take who was protecting mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger and his gang.

They procured a conviction in the Connolly case and Monday Connolly stands before the judge, facing between eight to 10 years behind bars.

In May, Connolly was convicted of racketeering, obstruction of justice and lying to an FBI agent. The charges said he tipped off the two gangsters, Bulger and Stephen Flemmi -- both top-echelon FBI informants -- that they were under investigation and, later, that they were about to be indicted.

After being warned, Bulger fled and is still a fugitive, with a prominent spot on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list. Flemmi is in custody awaiting trial for his alleged role in 10 murders.

Over the past several months, he and his legal team asked dozens of people to petition the judge for leniency. At least 200 letters were sent -- from relatives, priests, nuns, Southie residents, former FBI agents and others. But it may have all been for naught.

Last week a federal judge denied defense motions to depart downward from sentencing guidelines. U.S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro stated: "The applicable sentencing guideline range in this case is 97 to 121 months."

Connolly's lawyers filed a petition for reconsideration, saying he was suseptible to skin cancer, his double hip replacements carry long-term risks of infection, and his three children display learning disabilities.

But Friday the judge's order was made public, again denying the defense motion to depart downward from sentencing guidelands and also denying a prosecution motion to depart upward.

Barring any last-minute changes or legal maneuvering, there is very little room to decide between the 8 and 10 years. The two week sentencing trial has delayed a Congressional probe into the Boston FBI's tactics.