Ex-Drug Dealer Says Bulger Tried to Extort $1M

A former drug dealer says James "Whitey" Bulger once tried to scare him into paying $1 million by having an associate spin a loaded gun on a table, point it at him, then pull the trigger.

William David Lindholm testified Wednesday in Bulger's racketeering trial in Boston. He said Bulger's associate played a game like "Russian Roulette" with him in 1983.

Lindholm said he and his partner were major marijuana dealers who distributed about 170,000 pounds during that summer. Lindholm said shortly after that he was asked to go to a club where he found Bulger and three other men.

Lindholm said Bulger pulled two guns out and demanded $1 million. He said he negotiated with Bulger to get the amount down to $250,000 and agreed to pay.

Bulger is accused of playing a role in 19 killings.

[Associated Press]