The Mirage Author:Zay N. Smith, Pamela Zekman After conventional methods had failed to generate substantial information on corrupt city officials who collect pay-offs from bar and restaurant owners in exchange for ignoring health and safety regulations, reporters of the Chicago Sun-Times decided to slip into the role of tavern owners themselves. — In August of 1977, "The Mirage" opened for b... more »usiness after passing all inspections despite severe code violations. In every instance city inspectors had accepted bribes, either upon their own demand or after a go-between, typically a contractor, had made the necessary arrangements. The reporters also learned that tax-fraud was pervasive in the business and that it was systematically encouraged and supported by tax-accounting firms.
The "Mirage" was closed after two and a half months. The following series of reports in the Sun-Times created a scandal which led to the suspension of several city employees, but also to a revision of outdated and conflicting requirements prescribed by the city codes that were used by corrupt inspectors as leverage for shakedowns.« less