America 1919

Eric Liribeiro didn't ask further but questioned, "Do you want me to leak this news?" Donnie laughed, "Eric, don't ask such a foolish question. Don't you realize that if you were the one to leak these tidbits, your father would never stand a chance to become the head of the IRS!" Political struggles are both cruel and complicated. If Eric Liribeiro were to release this information, then for those who have the power to decide the position of the IRS chief, Michael Ribeiro would appear as a madman, and they would never choose such a person as the IRS chief. Eric Liribeiro said, "It can't be me to release this information, and neither can you, so who do you want to let out this news?" Donnie said, "There are others at the IRS qualified to be the head besides your father. I've heard that Bixir Mendy is also very eager to sit in the IRS chief's seat. What do you think would happen if he got wind of this news?" After a brief thought, Eric Liribeiro said, "He would seek out someone he trusts to discuss and investigate this matter. No matter what, he would handle it with caution, because he understands that if he is the one to disclose this information, there's no hope for him to become the IRS chief either!" Donnie nodded, "Currently, to many, this is still a secret. However, once Mendy knows about it and then his allies are informed, it is no longer a secret. When it's not a secret anymore, naturally, the media will also become aware of it. By that time, would anyone care who exactly leaked it? Simply pin it onto Bixir Mendy!" Eric Liribeiro didn't respond to Donnie immediately, as he was contemplating the feasibility of the plan. In the end, Eric Liribeiro had to admit that it was a perfect plan. Once this strategy commenced, the IRS had become just another piece on Donnie's chessboard. "There's one last issue, my father... even if this matter is exposed and blamed on Bixir Mendy, my father is only the most likely candidate for the position, not the absolute one. Even the White House and Congress, in order to balance their interests, might choose someone to parachute into the role of the IRS chief!" Donnie nodded, which is where American politics, or rather Western politics, differ from Eastern politics. In Eastern political culture, one's background is critical. Even if you're not an official from the agency, you can become the leader as a staff member from another department. However, there's a prerequisite: you must already be a political figure... State-owned enterprises are also part of the political domain! In Western politics, however, this is not a necessity. Take Andrew Mellon for instance, before he became the United States Treasury Secretary, he was the head of the Mellon Consortium. But as long as his political ideology aligned with that of President Harding, he could naturally transition from the business world to politics, becoming the United States Treasury Secretary. Of course, it's also for this reason that there are various factions within the United States Treasury, and Andrew Mellon has yet to straighten out these relationships! "So this is the other reason I came to you!" Donnie said with a smile. "If at this time, you uncover evidence of Harry Rosenthal evading taxes and complete the charge against him, tell me, who in the whole United States could compete with your father for the IRS chief position then?" Eric Liribeiro's breathing became more rapid; this was truly a plan within a plan. Although Harry Rosenthal's territory in Philadelphia was shrinking under pressure from Salvatore Bella, his fame remained, and he was still one of the top mob bosses in the United States. If Eric could succeed in bringing charges against him, their father-son status within the IRS would be even more solidified. Imagine, with Coshek Kevin—considered most likely to become the IRS chief—just being exposed by the media for his political scandal, and the public starting to doubt the IRS's reputation, suddenly there's a breakthrough where the evasion of taxes by the Philadelphia mob boss Harry Rosenthal is discovered, and he is brought to justice. Such a feat would definitely earn the nation's good favor towards him and his father... Of course, Eric Liribeiro understood that by accepting materials from Donnie, he and Donnie would be deeply intertwined, and in such a case, his father would also become passively tied to their ship. Having thought it all through, Eric Liribeiro did not hesitate and laughed, "Pleasure doing business, and once my father takes the position of IRS chief, all who are investigating this matter will be called back!" Donnie extended his hand and responded with a smile, "I will open a secret account for you at Citibank, and 0.2% of the profits from the bootlegging business will be deposited into this account every month!" Eric Liribeiro frowned slightly. His ambition lay in the power of the IRS, not the money, but he also understood that Donnie was binding him and his family even deeper to his ship. This was a man who didn't believe in feelings, only in interests! It was only then that Eric Liribeiro truly understood Donnie. Since he had previously agreed to Donnie's partnership request, regardless of whether his mind was on the money or not, Eric Liribeiro knew he had to accept the condition, because this was the fundamental basis of their alliance with Donnie Block! Moreover, just yesterday, Eric Liribeiro realized having money was indeed a very good thing. "Alright, then I won't be shy!" Eric Liribeiro got up, smiling and extending his hand. Donnie shook hands with him, then said with a smile, "As for Harry Rosenthal's situation, I'll have someone bring the information to you in the next couple of days. I'm heading back to Atlantic City today. If there's anything you need, you can directly call my office at the Surf Hotel!" Now that things here were settled, Donnie needed to go back and prepare for dealing with Harry D'Agostino. But at least for now, everything seemed to be going well. With Hoover in the Bureau of Investigation and the Ribeiro father and son in the IRS, perhaps with time, these two organizations could even become the most lethal hidden swords in his hands!