Power Book IV: Force S3E5 Stacy Marks Discovers Tommy Egan Funds Her Campaign
Stacy Marks enters the mayoral race with integrity, but Tommy Egan and CPD leverage her desperation, exposing how Chicago elections are bought, not won.
Stacy Marks in a tense moment as her campaign becomes entangled in corruption. Courtesy of Starz
The outcomes of politics and the criminal underworld colliding are never clean – and in Chicago, they are downright filthy. Tommy Egan, one of the most dangerous figures in the drug business, is implementing a meticulous plan to take over the mayor’s office as the battle for power in the city takes a dark turn. And the target was caught in the middle. The ambition, pressure, and desperation of Stacy Marks, a prosecutor, led her to run for office. A campaign fueled by fear, manipulation, and dirty cash lies below the polished speeches and patriotic promises.
A Desperate Candidate in a City Built on Deals
Stacy Marks has made fighting corruption her career choice. Chicago politics has the power to alter the narrative of anyone who claims moral authority. While she began her mayoral campaign with optimism, she was soon faced with Police Commissioner Judson, who sees police loyalty as a personal business asset. Her message is straightforward: support comes at a cost.
“My wife and I have our eyes on a new boat… A hundred thousand would sure help with the down payment.” — Judson.
Negotiation disguised as blackmail. Influence is given in exchange for a luxurious toy. Welcome to the actual CPD group. Stacy resists until the police turn their backs on her during her campaign rally. The city that supposedly needs her leadership publicly humiliates her. Her confidence crumbles in a matter of seconds. Judson recognizes an opportunity. The price? The previous level is now 50% higher. Chicago eats their own food this way.
Tommy Egan Sees Weakness — And Moves In
Tommy Egan doesn’t hold back until the doors open. He pushes them in. When Vic Flynn reveals that Stacy is cash-strapped, Tommy knows precisely what that means.
“I always wanted a mayor in my pocket.” — Tommy Egan
His plan? Pagent Inc. is an avenue for fake donors to funnel drug money. Once the checks clear, pull the strings. Stacy believes that she is too clean, intelligent, and righteous to fall for Chicago’s most violent businessman. She’s wrong.
Vic Flynn: The Unexpected Pawn With a Price on His Soul
He consents to Stacy controlling him by accusing him of murder to protect himself. Stacy’s assistant Rae Thompson is the method he tries to use to free himself. Business becomes personal. Personal becomes intimate.
Everything collapses when Vic reveals the truth.
Rae learns that she has been lied to. Used. Played. Vic is a rare individual in this universe who tells the truth. He prefers vulnerability to survival—the game shifts as a result. Vic is no longer just a pawn; he becomes the match that sets Stacy’s entire campaign on fire.
CPD Turns Its Back — And Chicago Watches
Stacy is faced with the type of disaster consultants fear most during a speech meant to demonstrate unity and strength. Live on camera, police officers ignored her. The headlines express the candidate’s loss of support from the police. A failing campaign is humiliated by CPD’s rejection of Stacy Marks. Stacy panics. Judson smiles. Tommy sharpens his knives. The city smells blood.
A Witness. A Threat. A Video That Ends Careers
Tommy’s strength lies in his ability to find more than his weaknesses. Tommy follows Vic’s lead when she mentions a witness who witnessed him killing Colin Judge. Alicia, an art student, was terrified and broke. Tommy presents $25,000 in cash. Not for silence. For a confession. Stacy Marks, the moral crusader, confessed to trying to bribe and intimidate a federal witness.
The setup is perfect: Tommy captures the confession, Alicia stays alive, and is compensated. Stacy is fully compromised, but claims it’s a lie. It’s irrelevant. Chicago is a believer in scandals, not statements.
The Final Conversation: A Political Soul for Sale
Tommy and Vic confront Stacy. No lawyers. No press. The truth is weaponized. Tommy lays the trap wide open: Expose the evidence. Stacy’s career dies. Cooperate. Stacy becomes mayor under Tommy’s control. There is no middle ground.
“This blows up your career. Poof, gone. But this… This makes you mayor. Good decision. Now you work for me.” — Tommy Egan
Stacy has crossed the line with her expression. Returning is not an option for her. She now works for Tommy Egan.
The New Chicago Power Structure
Stacy will present herself to voters as tough on crime, loyal to the police, and focused on public safety. However, does she have anything to hide? Tommy Egan’s political puppet, she is a mayor who is willing to approve anything he wants: real estate to launder, police protection, a city hall built on drug money. He acquired the future of Chicago.
Why This Story Shakes Chicago to Its Core
This is not a piece of fiction; it’s not happening in Chicago.
The real villains aren’t always the ones who are in handcuffs.
They wear badges from time to time.
Occasionally, they run for mayor.
At times, they write the checks.
Tommy Egan understands the truth:
Power is not derived from votes.
Leverage is what drives it.
And now?
His leverage surpasses that of anyone else in the city.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
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