Wine, Suits and City Contracts

A mayor received cash, expensive meals, fine wine, designer clothes, jewellery and home improvements from two associates over several years. Prosecutors said that in return he steered city business, including a sewage-plant deal, pension work and development projects, to the associates' clients and partners. The mayor argued there was no crime unless the government proved that, when each gift was given, he agreed to do one specific official act in exchange. The government said it was enough that he understood the gifts bought his influence as opportunities came up.