American Tax Officer

"Thank me?"

"Yes, look at what you've accomplished since you arrived. You've brought in several billion U.S. dollars in tax revenue, and this is just the beginning. With Director David's ability, I expect the taxes will keep coming in. With this money, Los Angeles's finances won't be so tight. The over 4 million residents of Los Angeles should be thankful to Director David."

In order to get local governments to cooperate with the tax collection under the Black Tax Act, it was clearly stipulated when the bill was drafted that taxes collected locally would be given priority to address local fiscal needs, so Mayor Grice's thankful logic wasn't wrong.

But even so, David still detected flattery in the other party's words. As the Mayor of Los Angeles, such a posture suggested he indeed feared getting entangled with the Camora Family's affairs.

"You're overstating it, Mayor Grice. The Washington D.C. Headquarters sent me here to handle tax collection; it's simply part of my job. There's no need to mention thanks."

Mayor Grice nodded slightly, then changed the subject, "Oh, by the way, Director David, just now, I heard that you've arrested someone from the Camora Family?" Discover stories with empire

"Mayor Grice, you're quite informed. Yes, we've made the arrest."

"Fighter jets were deployed. If I, as the mayor, didn't know about that, then I might as well not be in office. Oh, by the way, what's the IRS planning to do with this family?"

Indeed, Mayor Grice's personal visit to the Western Suburb Branch was because he feared getting implicated by a member of the Camora Family.

After all, when David was in Nevada State, he'd set a precedent by sending local city hall officials to prison.

If something similar happened in Los Angeles, his position as mayor might not topple, but his political career would definitely be affected.

"The family is involved in evading large sums of taxes; our evidence chain is almost ready. If all goes well, they'll be in court tomorrow."

"To court tomorrow..."

These past few days, the Western Suburbs Branch continued arresting people related to the Camora Family. It was clear to anyone paying attention that David was set to move against the Camora Family. However, a court session happening tomorrow was beyond Mayor Grice's expectations.

After a moment of changing expressions, he indirectly inquired, "Director David, since you mentioned having an evidence chain, it seems the Camora Family really are tax evaders. I must say, they've disguised themselves quite well, fooling many. Regarding those who have been misled... what's your plan for dealing with them, Director David?"

David displayed an amused smile and counter-questioned, "Mayor Grice, what do you suggest our Western Suburbs Branch should do then?"

"I...?"

Mayor Grice showed a hint of unease, which he quickly concealed, and replied, "Well, Director David, I think that when dealing with tax dodgers and criminals, we shouldn't be too lenient. But Los Angeles is after all an international metropolis; its public image definitely can't be tarnished, don't you think?"

His words were essentially saying, handle the likes of the Camora Family and other criminals however you want; what city doesn't have criminals?

But for officials like them, they can't be dealt with the same way as these criminals, because public exposure would affect the official's positive image, causing shame to the city's reputation.

David clearly understood and responded, "I agree with your view, Mayor Grice!"

"You agree?"

Mayor Grice was taken aback; he had gathered knowledge about David from various sources, knowing David to be a difficult man to deal with. So why had he become so agreeable now?

To think David wouldn't have evidence of the collusion between the Camora Family and the officials from their city hall, that was definitely unbelievable.

"Yes, Mayor Grice. I've investigated the Camora Family's case, and indeed they have involved many influential figures. But for the sake of the city's image, I also think it should not be blown out of proportion."

If this had been before, David would naturally not have been so accommodating, but now, the situation was a bit tricky.

On one hand, there were politicians like Phipps causing trouble by attacking the Black Tax Act, and on the other hand, there were film companies led by Disney stirring the waters, with criminals also eagerly watching.

Under such circumstances, there was no need for him to offend City Hall just for that bit of tax revenue.

Gathering all the tax revenue from the corrupt officials of Los Angeles City Hall wouldn't even match a single leg hair from the eight major film companies' tax obligations.

And now, by doing Mayor Grice a favor, it doesn't guarantee City Hall would reciprocate, but at the very least, they certainly wouldn't stab him in the back. Why not do it?

At this moment, Mayor Grice was overjoyed, wishing he could just grasp David's hand and exclaim in gratitude, "My kindred spirit!"

After a good while, once he had calmed down, he seemed to think of something else and asked, "Since you, Director David, also believe it shouldn't be escalated, do these people need to get involved with tax payments or file entries?"

"Procedurally, it is definitely required, but you also know that our Western Suburb Branch has been a bit busy lately, let's push it back a bit..."

Hearing this, Grice felt even more delighted. Paying taxes to the Western Suburbs Branch wasn't an issue, but having a file entry would be like planting a thorn in the hearts of each of them. Now, he could see that David was clearly doing him a huge favor.

Being tactful, he immediately took a business card out of his pocket and placed it on the table, "Since that's the case, on behalf of these people, I want to thank Director David. This is my private number, just give me a call if you need anything."

"Certainly."

After the Camora Family was arrested by the Western Suburb Branch, many officials, especially in the City Hall of Los Angeles, began to panic. Fortunately, they were able to breathe a sigh of relief after Mayor Grice conveyed the outcome of their conversation.

The incident of a fighter jet intercepting a tax evader's private jet was so shocking that, overnight, the streets of Los Angeles and social media were abuzz with the news.

The next morning, in all the major American newspapers, the news of the IRS deploying fighter jets took up the front page and headlines of the mainstream media.

[The Wall Street Journal: Unprecedented, the IRS deploys fighter jet to intercept tax evader!]

[The Washington Post: Tax evader flees, IRS deploys F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, unbelievable!]

[The Los Angeles Times: Following the last armed operation against the Indian Tribe, the IRS has another moment of 'showing off its muscles'!]

In the Western Suburbs Branch, in the director's office.

David, with a coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other, looked at the coverage of their actions from the day before, a satisfied expression on his face.

Shortly after, someone knocked on the door, and Keanu walked in saying, "The evidence chain against the Camora Family is complete."

"Then let's leak the news."

"Alright."

After Keanu left, David took out his phone and dialed Deputy Director Donald's number, "Deputy Director Donald, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"This time, during the court trial, I want to invite a few media outlets to broadcast live."

"What's the reason?"

"The thing is..."

To avoid controversy, the IRS's court trials are always conducted behind closed doors, but this time was different. His goal in striking at the Camora Family was to deter crime bosses nationwide from even thinking about supporting the repeal of the Black Tax law.

Inviting the media to broadcast the trial live would allow criminals across the country to watch the Camora Family become frantic and eventually lose hope in court. This would maximize the deterrent effect on these criminals.