But the same police division appeared repeatedly.
And one senior official had approved several questionable investigative steps.
The federal agent believed someone had been using police authority to protect the people diverting redevelopment money.
Proving it was another matter.
Rumors were not evidence.
Suspicion was not a conviction.
Even a financial pattern that looked damning could have an innocent explanation until investigators examined the underlying transactions.
She needed original records.
Independent witnesses.
Reliable documentation.
And a chain of evidence that would survive scrutiny in court.
The gala offered a possible breakthrough.
A financial administrator employed by the charitable foundation had contacted investigators through an attorney several days earlier.
The administrator claimed to possess original payment records that contradicted reports submitted to the city.
The records allegedly included approvals bearing the signatures of people who publicly denied involvement.
The administrator had agreed to surrender the material through a carefully coordinated process.
But she was frightened.
Her employer had recently dismissed two colleagues.
Her office computer had been searched.
And someone had left an anonymous message warning that people who interfered with the redevelopment project could end up facing criminal charges themselves.
The federal agent had spent an hour reassuring the woman that investigators would take her concerns seriously.
She had not promised absolute safety.
She had not promised immunity.
She had promised that the evidence would be handled professionally and that the administrator's information would be assessed fairly.