How do the Koch Brothers (Charles and David) get away with their scofflaw behavior? By distracting the populace and disguising their real motivation. Distraction and disguise might seem to be contrary, but they actually work in tandem, letting the malefactors be both obvious (what good is being bad if nobody notices?) and secretive at the same time.
The Brunswick Cellulose plant, picked up by the Koch Brothers when they acquired the Georgia Pacific Company to shutter the alternative fuel plants and protect their coal and oil interests, is a good example of how ulterior motives affect business decisions. The derelict assets, still known as Brunswick Cellulose, weren't acquired in the interest of profitable enterprise, but to set up a loss.
Similarly, getting a three year permit to "improve" and "repair" a walkway to a "serviceable" dock is about something else. Always the ulterior motive. One is reminded of the killdeer feigning a broken wing to distract potential predators from its nest in the underbrush.