Ep 7. Phoenix: Shady Deals in Sun City
- June 19, 2000
Phoenix: Shady Deals in Sun City is the seventh episode of season three of the true-crime series, City Confidential. The episode explores the darker side of the retirement community, Sun City, in Phoenix, Arizona.
As the title suggests, the episode delves into the various shady deals that have taken place in Sun City over the years. The retirement community was built in the 1960s by builder Del Webb, and it quickly became a popular destination for retirees who wanted to soak up the sun and enjoy their golden years.
However, as the years went by, Sun City began to attract a different kind of resident. The episode examines the case of a woman named Jeanne Tovrea, who moved to Sun City in the 1970s with her husband, Edward. The couple quickly became involved in the local real estate market and began purchasing land in the area. Jeanne was known to be a shrewd businesswoman and often engaged in cutthroat tactics to get what she wanted.
The episode also introduces the case of Marv Walberg, a former Sun City resident who was involved in a controversial land deal in the community. Walberg came to Sun City in the early 1980s and quickly became involved in local politics. He was eventually elected to the Sun City Homeowners Association, where he began to push for changes in the community. Walberg was known to be a bit of a maverick and often ruffled feathers with his unorthodox ideas.
The episode highlights the fact that while Sun City was intended to be a utopia for retirees, it quickly became a hotbed of corruption and intrigue. The community's rapid growth and the influx of wealth and power attracted all sorts of unsavory characters.
The show features in-depth interviews with individuals who knew Jeanne Tovrea and Marv Walberg, as well as experts in the fields of real estate and retirement communities. The episode also includes archival footage and photographs of Sun City in the 1970s and 1980s, which serve to transport viewers back to a time when the community was at its zenith.
Overall, Phoenix: Shady Deals in Sun City is an intriguing look at the darker side of one of America's most famous retirement communities. The episode offers a glimpse into the world of real estate deals and political machinations, all set against the backdrop of a sun-drenched paradise. Fans of true-crime shows and documentaries will surely find this episode to be a fascinating and informative watch.