Roger Wheeler (businessman)
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Roger Wheeler (d. May 27, 1981), was an American businessman, the former chairman of Telex Corp. and former owner of World Jai Alai.
In 1981, Wheeler was murdered in his car while preparing to leave Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, following his weekly game of golf.
On March 14, 2001, members of the Winter Hill Gang, James J. "Whitey" Bulger, Stephen Flemmi, and Johnny Martorano, were indicted for the murder, with two other alleged conspirators already dead. In a plea bargain, Martorano confessed some 20 murders for the gang, including Wheeler's, and served a 15 year sentence, he was released in 2007.[1] Flemmi has also pled guilty to the murder of Wheeler and others and is serving a life sentence.[2] Bulger is a fugitive and has been on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives since 19 August 1999.[3] Additionally, in 2003, retired FBI agent H. Paul Rico, the former head of security for World Jai Alai and an associate of Bulger's, was also indicted for Wheeler's murder; he pled not guilty and died of natural causes in custody before trial.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ "The hit at Southern Hills - golfer Roger Wheeler killed 20 years ago", Dave Kindred, Golf Digest, June 2001
- ^ Department of Justice Press Release
- ^ FBI: James J. Bulger
- ^ "Former FBI agent Rico dies in hospital had pleaded not guilty in businessman's slaying", The Boston Globe Obituary, January 18, 2004
