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This episode contains some strong language.

It's April, 2013, clear and chilly as if Winter is trying to claw back the little bit of spring

that New Yorkers have started to enjoy for the last few weeks.

And inside the offices of Dean Scalow's, the most powerful Republican in the state, the mood is grim.

Scalow spent another sleepless night worrying about his son, Adam.

He's running out of money, again.

Over the years, Adam has struggled with drugs and alcohol, staying in school and holding down a job.

Dean has tried to help him, even using his influence to get him worked, but at 32, Adam is still struggling.

And as a single father, Dean Scalow's feels obligated to help.

Scalow's runs his hands through his thick gray hair, then reaches for his phone to call Charles Durego, a senior executive at Glenwood Management, one of New York's top real estate developers.

Glenwood also happens to be one of the state's top political donors.

They have given millions of dollars in campaign funds to the three most powerful men in New York politics, Andrew Cuomo, Sheldon Silver, and Dean Scalow's himself.

In exchange, the firm has been granted access and favor, but today, that access is going to have far-reaching consequences.

Senator Scalow's, how are you?

Hi, Charles. I just wanted to thank you again for helping Adam land the consulting job with App Deck.

I think it's going to work out well for everybody, but I need a favor, Charlie.

We need to get that App Deck salary up. For a grand a month, just isn't cutting it.

Adam's got two kids, a mortgage, and well, money's tight.

Durego's size. He's gotten a lot of these calls from Senator Scalow's in the last two years.

He even secured Adam a $20,000 commission for work he never did.

Why are Adam Scalow's money problems, his problems? But he knows the answer.

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