Probation chief fires agency’s top lawyer

Bulger also admitted that he told O’Brien who was being called to testify before independent counsel Paul F. Ware Jr., who was investigating O’Brien and other Probation Department officials last year. Bulger acknowledged that he discussed evidence Ware had gathered, according to Corbett’s dismissal order.

“Bulger had no legitimate basis for discussing any aspect of the investigation with O’Brien,’’ Corbett wrote in his May 9 order.

Corbett also concluded that Bulger knew, or should have known, that O’Brien was pressuring subordinates to hire and promote O’Brien’s favored job candidates whether they were qualified or not.

“The facts also warrant a finding against Bulger of inefficiency, incompetence, negligence in the performance of duties, or failure to be knowledgeable and current in his area of job responsibility,’’ Corbett wrote.

Bulger’s lawyer, Christopher R. O’Hara, said in an e-mailed statement yesterday that his client disagrees with Corbett’s decision, calling it “absolutely outrageous.’’ O’Hara said Bulger is precluded by court order from commenting on the underlying facts in the case, but that he will seek an administrative review of the decision to terminate Bulger.

“The decision appears to be nothing more than the scapegoating of someone due to his last name, particularly when Mr. Bulger was neither involved in, nor aware of, the alleged rigged hiring and promotion practices of the Probation Department,’’ O’Hara wrote.

O’Hara said that he intends to appeal Corbett’s firing order within the Administrative Office of the Trial Court, which oversees probation. It was unclear whether Bulger’s termination would remain in effect during the appeal process.