I haven't heard any rumors to that effect. I've talked to small business owners who have gotten fined for various infractions in NYC, just casually, and my impression is that it's just bureaucracy in action--lots of rules, randomly enforced by people who individually interpret them one way or another.
For example, a store selling used equipment was fined for not individually labeling the equipment as used. All equipment in the store is used, it's all outdated stuff, and it's completely obvious. But one day someone from the city shows up and levies a fine. So now this scuffed, obsolete gear from the 1990s has a "used" sticker on it.
In the past, yes, bribes were a thing. I went to Edison HS in Jamaica and our shop teacher told us stories of bribing clerks to get permits faster. E.g. in-ground pool permits took years to get through so he said a crispy $100 would get your paperwork moved to the middle of the pile.
I used to work with a truck driver who knew how to properly grease the guys running the loading docks at the Javits center (slip a $20 into your paper work.) Though he said it only works with "older guys who've been around and know the game." That saved us 2-3 hours of waiting, we go into a dock right away, truckers watching us were pissed we skipped the line somehow. This was about 15 years ago though.
Though nowadays I hear those practices have mostly gone away. Of course we have no real way of knowing.
When we went in the office he said it might not work as the younger guys "don't play the game" but then saw an older guy at one desk and said "That guy right there." Dude pages through the paperwork, sees the $20 tucked and clipped, says "okay looks to be in order. You're going to loading dock so and so." I think we waited in the truck for 5-10 min before we were called and the driver ahead of us didn't look too happy.
That mentality is from the old mob days. Thankfully mostly a memory.
In The Wire, Season 2, automation & computerization threatening both dock jobs themselves (through greatly increased efficiency) and opportunities for relatively small fish to make a little extra on the side (though much better tracking), is a pretty big part of the plot.
Yes. At least in the construction and waste management industries bribes are very much a thing, though you will never hear that word actually spoken.
Waste management especially is mafia territory, if you don’t know the right people and make sure they get something out of your operation, you can count on getting shut down for breaking the same rules that every single one of your competitors also breaks.
>> Actual serious question. Are bribes a part of the picture of getting things done?
Yes, and they are called "Expeditors" and "Expeditor Fees" and in some cases "Campaign Contributions". In real estate for example, "Expeditors" magically make all sorts of things happen, not happen, go away, by virtue of "Expeditors Fees"
Yes, but you don't pay off the inspectors directly. You pay the money to one of a dozen or so "expeditor" firms[0] that are typically staffed by ex-municipal employees who make money in retirement by filing permits on behalf of people. They claim it's not grift to help people make sure the forms are completely properly and don't get put at the bottom of the pile by current municipal employees.
Met people who talk about greasing the wheel to get things done. But won’t say more.