The question remains why Alatorre — arguably the most corrupt and corrupting Los Angeles politician of his generation — went down for just one easy count of income-tax evasion. And why the feds passed on their own investigators’ allegations of corruption, bribery, loan fraud, extortion and conspiracy. Under his plea bargain, Alatorre can never be prosecuted for them.For 28 years, Alatorre has been a far more powerful figure than his stature as councilman or legislator would suggest. He ruled the Eastside, he commanded the City Council and local organized labor, he swayed Sacramento: For officialdom, his smile meant success, his scowl, disaster.Alatorre’s latest disgrace hasn’t changed this. “So ferocious was Achilles that he was as horrendous retreating as advancing,” Homer writes.