Of course they were. Boasting about how they'd termed their investigation that led up to arrests and indictment of Portillo, Pike and Forster operation "Bottom Rocker" seals that deal. The dreadlocked Santa Claus (a jolly 'ol st. nick is he) walked free -- "no billed" for Geoffrey Brady's death.
They were the hidden hand, but need not have their hand fully up the backside of each and every local-level LE and County prosecutors. Those latter 'actors' could have been depended upon to play their hoped-for roles without direct (traceable) instruction -- and it seems like they have.
Even knowing that head count would be interesting.
Even knowing that head count would be interesting.