The Mayor's Granite Business

While in office, a big-city mayor set up a granite countertop company with his family. Prosecutors said businessmen who wanted city contracts paid him off: one gave about $62,000; another gave $50,000 in cash, truckloads of free granite, and wire transfers totalling over $112,000, all flowing into the family company. In return, they said, the mayor used his office to award contracts and give favourable treatment. Much of this happened while the city was rebuilding after a huge storm. The mayor pleaded not guilty and went to trial.