Episode 135: The Slavery Towers of Silicon Valley California

Multiple sources detail the controversies surrounding the Silvery Towers (later 188 West St. James Street) luxury condominium development in San Jose, California. A major scandal involved the discovery of human trafficking and wage theft by an unlicensed subcontractor, leading to a $250,000 back-pay settlement and accusations of negligence against the developer, Z&L Properties. This incident fueled debate over stricter labor standards and responsible development practices in the city. Further issues arose from Z&L's financial troubles, including loan defaults and project failures, impacting San Jose's ambitious housing goals. Finally, a San Jose City Council candidate faced criticism for past employment with Z&L, prompting discussion of potential conflicts of interest.