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Newman's character was implying that the judge was knee deep in the power circuit of the city earlier in his career. Where $$$ and powerful connections count to get ahead in ones career.
I'm guessing he was the collector for blackmail, extortion, payoffs for lucrative city contracts, illegal activities and such. Powerful people have enemies. Unsavory methods are sometimes used to remain powerful.
Collecting payoffs for lucrative city contracts would be my guess. The powerful don't want to be anywhere near the actual transaction.