What emerges from the review of the investigative reports is that explaining corruption and
misconduct in local government can be difficult. To investigate them requires the trust of informants and the ability to have powerful insights with impeccable timing. All this is not possible without the support of councillors and the chief executive, who may or may not be disposed to someone analysing corruption and misconduct risks, particularly if they are not as ‘white as snow’ themselves. Whilst agency reports are a point of reference to identify corruption or misconduct, there may have been some earlier anecdotal evidence or suspicions of wrongdoing, notwithstanding it may not have met the evidentiary hurdle for a successful criminal prosecution. Also, it can be difficult to identify corruption or misconduct when events are happening within various work groups and subcultures within council.