The modern political history of U.S. Sugar traces back to a 1987 pizza and beer night at the company lobbyist's townhouse near the state Capitol.

Robert Coker wasn't home that night, but his job is to build relationships in Tallahassee. So he lent his place to state legislators, who secretly crafted a deal to tax services such as dry cleaning and barbers, scribbling the details on a pizza box. The next day, the tax was passed.

Months later, due to public outrage, the tax was repealed. But Big Sugar's role in Florida politics has continued.

The Clewiston sugar colossus agreed last month to sell its vast land holdings to the state for $1.75-billion, a deal certain to alter the future of the Everglades. But U.S. Sugar's disappearance will alter the political landscape in Florida as well. (story here)