Pun on words: how to quickly and accurately understand pun in a sentence?

Question

Reaching the bottom of a case
I was intrigued to read in The world this week (October 24th) that Brazilian police had raided a senator’s home and discovered about $5,000 wedged between his buttocks. He has denied diverting funds that were meant for the pandemic. If he is innocent then this is a most unfortunate case of a bum rap.

This is a letter published on the economist, I believe there is a lot of word play. And I did some search and found Lot Lick answer inspiring to another related question. Can you further explain the play on the words: case, bottom/bum/buttocks, and rap?
Of there is more word play, please enlighten me as well.

BoldBen · Accepted Answer

As suggested by StephenS I am converting my comment to an answer.
"A bum " in American informal speech is something incorrect or worthless. For example "A bum note" is a wrong note played on an instrument.
Also in American informal speech "a rap" can be a criminal charge leading to arrest. "A bum rap" therefore is a criminal charge leading to arrest which proves not to be supported by evidence.
"A person's bum" in British informal speech usually means their buttocks, their 'bottom', or that part of their body in general.
The pun is a play on the AmE and BrE meanings of "bum" related to the senator's choice of hiding place for the money.

Pun on words: how to quickly and accurately understand pun in a sentence?

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