[boomboomsubban]

> I seem to remember a story of a mafia don who turned out to be an informant, which seems wild to me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitey_Bulger

[red-iron-pine]

he was informant to cover his ass, and run to attempts to play all sides.

slip the feds a little juice tidbit here or there and he gets to run his empire a few months longer. repeat over and over until the feds get smart.

[boomboomsubban]

This makes it sound like the FBI was unaware they were dealing with a mafia don. They knew and didn't care, it benefit them.

[reverendsteveii]

>he was informant to cover his ass, and run to attempts to play all sides.

I mean, it's not as though other mafiosi turn informant because they yearn for justice...

[noneeeed]

Aha, thank you.

[rufus_foreman]

The Scorsese movie "The Departed" is both a remake of a film made in Hong Kong ("Infernal Affairs") and a semi-realistic depiction of the Boston Winter Hill Gang led by Bulger.

[lupusreal]

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is another great movie (and great book) semi-related to this theme.

[noneeeed]

Thanks, I hadn't known about the connection. It's a great film.