Somebody tampers with evidence within the department, which leads to an acquittal in a money laundering case. IAB investigates the scandal, and all signs point at Cragen. Logan and Greevey investigate in an attempt to clear his name. They find out that Cragen's mentor O'Farrell accepted bribes and tampered with the evidence. Cragen ends up recording a conversation with his old mentor in which he requests to get in on the action since his name has already been smeared across the precinct. The tape leads to the chief's conviction, along with an accomplice evidence clerk and a U.S. Congressman.
Tropes present:
- Broken Pedestal: For Cragen, after he learns about his mentor accepting bribes.
- Caught on Tape: Cragen is able to collect enough incriminating information.
- Dirty Cop: Whether or not Cragen is this is the center of the plot. A corruption scandal involving a public official and some police captains and lieutenants involves a trail of tampering evidence which led directly to Cragen. Stone does not want to indict him, so he makes him wear a wire and talk to one of the defendants; however, the defendant suspects that he's wearing a wire, and doesn't say anything incriminatory. Cragen then tells Stone to send out a false rumor that he has been indicted, and then asks the defendant for a bribe; the defendant then spills everything to Cragen, who then testifies against him in court.
- Then Let Me Be Evil: Cragen pretends this is the case when he asks O'Farrell to let him have a piece of the action.
