>>> A CLOUD RICH BUSINESSMAN WHO GAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S CAMPAIGN ADMITTED TO VIOLATING THE ETHICS ORDINANCE.

HE WILL HAVE TO PAY $5000 TO RESOLVE THE CHARGES.

HEATHER SHARON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THIS.

>> Reporter: A NUMBER OF CLUBS AND BARS.

HE HOLDS THE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE LOLLAPALOOZA MUSIC FESTIVAL.

HE WON A CONTRACT BACK IN 2022 TO OPERATE 13 PARKING GARAGES AND LOTS AROUND THE FIELD AND UNITED CENTER SO THAT PEOPLE CAN PARK THERE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHICH OWNS THAT LAND.

-- IT WAS PARKING LOTS, WHICH HE DID NOT HAVE.

THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THEM GETTING THOSE LICENSES.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER DEPARTMENT AT THAT HEY, WE NEED YOUR HELP.

THAT WASN'T OF LOBBYING FOR THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ETHICS DECIDED.

BUT, ROSSI REGISTERED AS A LOBBYIST FOR 4 OTHER FRIENDS, WAS NOT SCHEDULED AS A LOBBYIST FOR THE PARKING.

THAT VIOLATED THE CITY'S ETHICS ORDINANCE.

>> Reporter: WHAT PROMPTED THE ETHICS BOARD TO INVESTIGATE?

>> WE HAVE TO TIP OUR CAP TO THE CHICAGO TIMES.

THEY KEPT THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO LIGHTFOOT WHICH SEEMED TO RUN A FOUL OF THE 2020 EXECUTIVE OWNER WHICH SAID LOBBYIST SHOULD NOT CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TO CITY OFFICIALS VERSUS CANDIDATES.

THESE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ROSSI CAME THROUGH.

IT DID NOT VIOLATE THE LETTER OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, BUT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT RETURNED MOST OF THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS JUST BECAUSE OF THOSE CONCERNS.

>> Reporter: WHY DOES THE ETHICS BOARD TRACK LOBBYIST?

>> MAY HAVE A LOT OF HISTORY OF POLITICS IN CHICAGO.

COMPANIES HAVE GOT CLOAKED ON THOSE DONATIONS THROUGH LOBBYISTS.

THAT IS WHY THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ETHICS HAS A CLOSE EYE ON WHO DOES THE LOBBYING AND WHAT OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS THEY BRING.