And it all goes down to this in the city of St Louis Hall soap opera.
Federal prosecutors said hundreds of recorded phone calls show three city leaders took money in exchange for political favors.
St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, alongside current and former aldermen Jeffrey Boyd and John Collins-Muhammad, were indicted Thursday on federal bribery and corruption charges linked to pay-to-play schemes.
Reed walked out of court Thursday after pleading not guilty. When asked if heāll continue to serve, Reed responded: āJust like I always have.ā
āIāve been a good steward to the city, and I plan to continue to be a good steward to the city,ā Reed said.
Boyd will also continue serving. He had no comment after pleading not guilty and walking out of court. Collins-Muhammad, who recently resigned, also pleaded not guilty.
FOX 2ās Chris Hayes asked Collis-Muhammad if his resignation indicates how he thinks this case might go, to which the former alderman reportedly replied: āNo comment.ā
Prosecutors said years of recorded phone calls and text messages show the men gave political favors to an unnamed businessman for money and perks.
Court documents revealed one alleged phone call about tax abatement.
Collins-Muhammad: āApply, and I got you. I can take care of you in my ward. How soon are you looking to build?ā
John Doe: āWhat I owe you for this?ā
Collins-Muhammad: ā25.ā
It led to a $2,500 cash payment, according to court records. In another phone call, the unnamed business owner (John Doe) allegedly said: āYouāre saving us plenty of money.ā Collins-Muhammad responded: āThatās our job,ā according to the transcript.
The federal indictment said Reed later became involved and that the businessman gave Reed $2,000 in cash. Prosecutors also provided a transcript of that alleged conversation.
John Doe: āThere you go, my brother. Thatās two grand.ā
Reed: āOh man, thatās perfect.ā
John Doe: āWeāre going to help each other for the long run.ā
Reed: āThe long run. Weāre gonna all grow together.ā
The court record also alleges that John Doe, in the presence of Collins-Muhammad, gave Boyd $2,500. John Doe also provided car repairs on Boydās 2006 Chevrolet Impala, which totaled $1,611, prosecutors said.
John Doe stamped the bill āpaid,ā even though it hadnāt been paid. Thereās also a transcript of that alleged conversation.
Boyd: āWundebar.ā
John Doe: āThis is for, you know you helped me on the property, so this is toward it, my brother.ā
Boyd: āOk, I appreciate it.ā
John Doe: āYou know your help, where you helped me over there at the property over there at Geraldine, itās big time. You understand?ā
Boyd: āOh, thereās more to come. Thatās the beginning, man.ā
A federal judge warned Boyd and Reed, who will still be working together at City Hall, should be very careful about their dealings together and make sure they do all of it in public.