bootlegger
/ˈbuːtˌlɛɡər/
Definition
A person who engages in the illicit, dishonest, or unauthorized production or distribution of goods, often used metaphorically to describe someone manipulating figures or data to hide fiscal reality.
Etymology
Originating in the late 19th century, the term refers to the practice of smuggling liquor in the leg of one's tall boot. It became widely associated with criminals like Al Capone during the Prohibition era of the 1920s, who violated federal law by trafficking illicit alcohol.
In the news
A state representative used this term to describe lawmakers who engage in deceptive 'accounting maneuvers' to mask the state's true financial deficit. It serves as a colorful, historical metaphor for those who 'cook the books'.
Pa. adopts $50.8B budget that sends more money to poorest schools, skips difficult policy questions
Read the full article ↗The Latrobe Bulletin