BOSTON - A lawyer for the longtime girlfriend and fugitive companion of Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger says prosecutors are being vindictive by charging her for refusing to testify about whether other people helped Bulger during his 16 years on the run.

Catherine Greig was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on one count of criminal contempt.

Greig is serving an eight-year sentence for conspiracy to harbor a fugitive, identity fraud and conspiracy to commit identity fraud.

Her lawyer, Kevin Reddington, said prosecutors are harassing Greig. He claims she knows nothing about anyone who may have helped him.

Bulger was captured in 2011 in Santa Monica, California, where he had been living with Greig.

He was convicted in 2013 of participating in 11 murders and is serving life in prison.