The transaction occurred during her 2012 re-election campaign, where she thought the money was coming from a real estate firm that was actually set up by the FBI. This operation began in May of 2012, with agents hiring Alan Koslow, a south Florida lawyer, to represent them in this transaction; they wanted to contact Cooper to inquire about areas that could be developed in Hallandale Beach. The mayor met with the undercover agents that July. A deal was struck in which she would get the votes to approve their projects in return for a sizable campaign contribution. The Free Beacon boiled down the rest: