Criminal The Mirage
Sep 27, 2024
Zay Smith and Pam Zechman, investigative reporters from the Chicago Sun-Times, share the riveting story of the Mirage Tavern, a bar shrouded in deception. They recount how the tavern served as the backdrop for uncovering city corruption in 1977. The duo humorously narrates the challenges of bartending while gathering evidence against corrupt officials. They also dive into the chaotic and vibrant life of the bar scene and its complicated interactions with inspectors. Their investigation ultimately uncovers the systemic issues faced by small business owners in Chicago.
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The First Inspector
- A plumbing inspector visited the bar and pointed out code violations.
- Instead of issuing citations, he suggested they could "work something out."
Avoiding Entrapment
- To avoid entrapment accusations, reporters played naive about bribery.
- They waited for inspectors to initiate or strongly hint at a payoff.
The Corruption Broker
- The team hired Phil Barish, an accountant with a criminal record, as a consultant.
- Barish acted as a corruption broker, instructing them on how to handle bribes.
