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Mullen meanwhile had left Kusper's office on the pretext that he had to be with a sick father in Wisconsin. Kusper finally called the newsman's apartment to inquire about the father's health and got Mullen's roommate who knew he was on a secret mission but was unaware of the ruse. Mullen was at work, said the roommate. Kusper: "Where?" Roommate: "At the Tribune." Kusper: "Oh, wow!"
The newspaper's findings set off a state investigation and resulted in widening the federal inquiry, which produced indictments of 40 political small fry. An election watchdog group brought suit to place Kusper's board under court supervision.
Top Cook County Democrats, however, seemed unflustered. Kusper pointed out that his job is administrative, not investigatory, and that he is not responsible for what happens at the precinct level. Mayor Daley observed that "Kusper is a man of integrity," adding: "We always have these charges about this time of year. If anyone is guilty, they should be punished."