Pam Zekman

But we were very concerned about never being accused of entrapping these inspectors. We did not want to do that.

But we were very concerned about never being accused of entrapping these inspectors. We did not want to do that.

We weren't going to say, well, can we pay you off in order to ignore the violation? That was absolutely not going to happen. We needed to either have them ask for the money or hint that they wanted the money. The language and dance of the game was, well, we really want to work with you, and oh, you're nice people, and we want to help you, and things like that.

We weren't going to say, well, can we pay you off in order to ignore the violation? That was absolutely not going to happen. We needed to either have them ask for the money or hint that they wanted the money. The language and dance of the game was, well, we really want to work with you, and oh, you're nice people, and we want to help you, and things like that.

He was straight out of central casting.

He was straight out of central casting.

Phil Barish is a very colorful character. He drove a Rolls Royce and he bragged about his gambling habits in Las Vegas. He was constantly talking about how much money he had. He had to tell us that he gets lots of sex, lots of trips, nice trips. He also had a criminal record.

Phil Barish is a very colorful character. He drove a Rolls Royce and he bragged about his gambling habits in Las Vegas. He was constantly talking about how much money he had. He had to tell us that he gets lots of sex, lots of trips, nice trips. He also had a criminal record.

He said, okay, I want you to put $10 in an envelope for the fire inspector, $15 in an envelope for the building inspector, along with my card. And when they come in, give them the envelope. Tell them that Phil Barish told you to give this to them.

He said, okay, I want you to put $10 in an envelope for the fire inspector, $15 in an envelope for the building inspector, along with my card. And when they come in, give them the envelope. Tell them that Phil Barish told you to give this to them.

That was extraordinary because that was an easy way to get ourselves into the corruption angle without being accused of entrapping the inspectors.

That was extraordinary because that was an easy way to get ourselves into the corruption angle without being accused of entrapping the inspectors.

I was outside the bar waiting. This was the date and the time that our Mr. Fix-It, Phil Barish, had told us to expect an inspector. And he came just as Barish said he would. And he was the fire inspector, a lieutenant. And he came in and he looked around. I don't know what he was looking for, but it certainly wasn't fire violations.

I was outside the bar waiting. This was the date and the time that our Mr. Fix-It, Phil Barish, had told us to expect an inspector. And he came just as Barish said he would. And he was the fire inspector, a lieutenant. And he came in and he looked around. I don't know what he was looking for, but it certainly wasn't fire violations.

He asked about the condition of the basement, and Jeff Allen told him, well, we never use it. And the fire inspector said, well, as long as it's clean, no trash, no junk down there, which was laughable because it was a fire hazard. There were all kinds of open ceilings that plaster had fallen off the ceiling. A fire could have gone right through there. He never went near the basement.

He asked about the condition of the basement, and Jeff Allen told him, well, we never use it. And the fire inspector said, well, as long as it's clean, no trash, no junk down there, which was laughable because it was a fire hazard. There were all kinds of open ceilings that plaster had fallen off the ceiling. A fire could have gone right through there. He never went near the basement.

And then, out of nowhere, he started talking about how much he liked beer and how he loved, loved beer. And it got to the point where we thought that maybe what he was hinting at was that he wanted beer or a keg of beer as his payoff. At that point, it was obvious that the inspection was done, if you call it an inspection.

And then, out of nowhere, he started talking about how much he liked beer and how he loved, loved beer. And it got to the point where we thought that maybe what he was hinting at was that he wanted beer or a keg of beer as his payoff. At that point, it was obvious that the inspection was done, if you call it an inspection.

And Jeff Allen had the envelope that we were supposed to give to him, according to Barish. And there was some hesitation, nervous hesitation. And then he just scooped it up and acknowledged it. that he was done and he was leaving and he wasn't citing us for any code violations. And he walked out. He said, it's a beautiful day and walked out. We'll be right back.

And Jeff Allen had the envelope that we were supposed to give to him, according to Barish. And there was some hesitation, nervous hesitation. And then he just scooped it up and acknowledged it. that he was done and he was leaving and he wasn't citing us for any code violations. And he walked out. He said, it's a beautiful day and walked out. We'll be right back.