California City

LAist Studios presents Imperfect Paradise: Nury & The Secret Tapes: Part 1

We take you behind the scenes of the L.A. City Council tape scandal, a year later. The secret recordings of the conversation among four of the city’s most powerful Latino leaders making racist, derogatory insults – exposed thorny, unresolved issues of race and politics. Host Antonia Cereijido explores those issues and speaks with the people who were most affected by the tapes, including former councilman Mike Bonin. And for the first time since resigning, former L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez breaks her silence. Support LAist Today: <a data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-stringify-link="https://LAist.com/donate" href="https://laist.com/donate">https://LAist.com/donate</a>   Go to Hellofresh.com/50imperfect and use code 50imperfect for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months! This podcast is supported by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.*

Deep in the Mojave Desert, there is a little town with a big name and a bizarre history: California City. For decades, real estate developers have sold a dream here: if you buy land now, you’ll be rich one day. Thousands of people bought this dream. Many were young couples and hard-working immigrants looking to build a better future. But much of the land they bought is nearly worthless.  In this new podcast from LAist Studios, host Emily Guerin tells a story of money, power and deception.