Enron


Enron

An energy company that perpetrated one of the largest accounting frauds in history. Established in its latest form in 1985 in Omaha, it moved its headquarters to Houston and provided oil, natural gas, electric, water, and bandwidth products. Its share price eventually climbed to $85 because it used what it termed "innovative" techniques, including weather futures, to build its profit. In 2001, however, it was revealed that many of its assets were either overpriced or completely fictional; losses were hidden in offshore subsidies; and most profits were fraudulent. Its share price collapsed to $0.30 and Enron filed for bankruptcy in December 2001. See also: Arthur Andersen, WorldCom, Tyco International.