Enron Scandal

1985 – 2001

The Texas based energy corporation grew quickly in the exciting intersection of digital technology, deregulation and globalization of the late 90’s. In the new virtual marketplace, Enron traded energy, television advertising time, insurance risk, data transmission, and more. Enron was very successful and was recognized as "America's Most Innovative Company" for six consecutive years.

But the success was based on fraud and creative accounting. In 2001 Enron became America’s largest bankruptcy with over $74 billion dollars in losses. Their fraud included strategies such as Death Star that charged the state of California for relieving non-existing congestion on the power grid. Enrons collapse led to the fall of accounting giant Arthur Andersen (later rebranded as Accenture). The story of the “super-smart” executives at Enron serve as a warning example of how economic success can lead to destructive hubris.

Over 300 former employees answered Playboy’s call to appear in the pictorial ‘The Women of Enron,’ featuring the models in their regular office jobs but in less clothing.

References:
Wikipedia - Enron scandal