Losing the Battle/ Winning the War?

Occasionally in the Law, you stumble across something bigger than the matter at hand.  For example, Watergate started with Bob Woodward at the local courthouse seeing the burglars arraigned.  Like the Elephant in the living room, it seems obvious afterwards.

I had a case about 5 years ago, pretty much in my area of expertise, involving defense of a mechanic's lien filed, and breach of contract.  The subcontractor was suing my client, a general contractor, for about $50,000.  Instead of getting it paid or settled, it dragged on.

When I went to see the property, it was quite an expansive shopping area, probably 50,000 square feet leasable, and only 1 rinky-dink pizza parlor paying rent.

We later have found out that the developer, one Sergio Adame, Sr. was not only washing money from Mexican drug cartels to build this property, but he was also getting paid as an informant for the US Government in the War on Drugs.  He would convince people to turn themselves into the US system, while continuing his shady activities, right in our own backyard.

Now Adame Sr. and his son Adame Jr. have rolled over, and the US government has given them a sweet deal.   In exchange for the government taking the 50,000 sq. foot plaza, which is probably worth $4 -5 million if it were properly leased.

So the little battle in Hidalgo County court paled in comparison to the billions/trillions spent on this War on Drugs.