Ep 8. Born to Win

In season 2 episode 8 of Behind Mansion Walls titled "Born to Win," viewers are taken into the world of a wealthy New York entrepreneur and philanthropist named Walter Forbes. From the outside looking in, Forbes appears to have it all - a loving family, an impressive business empire, and a reputation as a self-made man who achieved success through hard work and determination.

However, as the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that there is more to Forbes than meets the eye. The show delves into his past, revealing a history of deception, manipulation, and greed that ultimately led to his downfall.

Through interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as dramatic re-enactments, viewers are taken on a journey through Forbes' life, starting with his humble beginnings in a working-class neighborhood in Queens. From there, he worked his way up the corporate ladder, eventually becoming the CEO of Cendant Corporation, a massive conglomerate that included brands such as Avis Rent-A-Car and Days Inn.

Forbes' rise to power was not without its controversies, however. The episode explores his involvement in a major accounting scandal that rocked the business world in the early 2000s. Forbes and other top executives were accused of inflating the company's earnings by millions of dollars in an effort to boost their own bonuses.

But it's not just Forbes' business dealings that come under scrutiny in "Born to Win." The episode also delves into his personal life, including his complicated relationship with his wife, the mother of his three children. Viewers learn about Forbes' extramarital affairs and the impact they had on his family, as well as his eventual divorce and subsequent remarriage.

As the episode draws to a close, viewers see Forbes' once-glamorous life crumble around him. Following the accounting scandal, he was forced to resign from Cendant and faced criminal charges that resulted in a prison sentence. Meanwhile, his personal life continued to spiral out of control, with his second marriage also ending in divorce.

Through it all, Forbes maintained his innocence and claimed that he was the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by jealous rivals and overzealous prosecutors. However, as the evidence against him mounted, it became clear that he was not the self-made man he had always claimed to be. Instead, he was a flawed and fallible human being, driven by his own desires and willing to cut corners in order to achieve success.

Overall, "Born to Win" offers a fascinating look into the life of a man who appeared to have it all, only to lose it in the end. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, ambition, and the belief that anything is possible if you're willing to work hard enough.