In the past, some dealers asserted that they had to make illegal payoffs to unloaders to get their perishable wares delivered promptly.

But the money was confiscated because officials said it was obviously intended for illegal payoffs.

The corruption was also said to involve lax enforcement and nonenforcement of union contracts at companies making the illegal payoffs.

He is under indictment, accused of making thousands of dollars in illegal payoffs to union officials over a 10-year period.

Two companies have pleaded guilty to making illegal payoffs of money and gifts to F.D.A. drug reviewers.

The civil complaint filed against the union said it had "systematically traded union members' rights for illegal payoffs."

But Monk suspects that DiMarco may have been murdered while receiving some kind of illegal payoff.

He could have accepted an illegal payoff.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles-based aerospace and military company said the payments were made in good faith and did not constitute illegal payoffs.

She is to listen in on his conversations and witness his illegal payoffs.