Enron

29,091
5
Published 2022-11-28
The FTX fraud has dominated headlines now for weeks, during which we’ve debated if and how Acquired could uniquely add to the conversation. Then we realized there was an angle so perfect that we had to drop everything and enter Acquired research overdrive: Enron. Travel back with us to the granddaddy fraud of them all, 2001’s then-largest bankruptcy in US history and the impetus for the famous Sarbanes-Oxley Act. So much of Enron’s history parallels FTX that the uncanniness is almost unbelievable — right down to the same CEO running the two bankruptcies. Sit back and enjoy this crazy tale of villainy, greed, and the nature of humans and money. Maybe just don’t take notes on this one…

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Links:

Book Andy Fastow as a speaker for your next corporate event!
www.bigspeak.com/speakers/andy-fastow/

Episode sources:
docs.google.com/document/d/1WeLpfgPIAyoB5FbugpfqzU…

Carveouts!:

Enron: The Musical
www.broadway.com/shows/enron/

Andor
disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/andor

Brooks Addiction Walkers
www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/addiction-walker-suede…

Hoka Slides
www.hoka.com/en/us/all-gender-footwear/ora-luxe/11…

JCal on the Tim Ferriss Show
tim.blog/2022/11/19/jason-calacanis-transcript/

New shirts are live in the ACQ Merch Store!
cottonbureau.com/people/acquired-fm

Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

All Comments (18)
  • @peterolbrisch8970
    The water deal in south America went bad because the employees that already worked there learned they were being let go, so they destroyed all the customer information. They didn't know who to bill. Then there was that mall explosion in Puerto Rico that they were responsible for because the employees didn't know how to calibrate the gas detectors. Then that failed power plant in India. This company failed at everything, how could you work there and not wonder how the company stayed in business?
  • @MackaWhy
    Very impressive and thorough review of events. I didn’t expect to finish this whole thing in one go but before I knew it it was coming to a close. I especially liked the description of the main folks in charge. Both in their public demeanor before and after Enron as well as education background. Incredibly underrated channel. This content should have substantially more views.
  • @GSery
    This is one of the best podcasts, if not the best. so informative. i can't believe it has approx. 1.5k views, should be in hundreds of thousands, if not millions. so well done. both speakers are so well researched, knowledgeable and have a unique way of speaking. I am a fan for life. can't believe I didn't know this podcast existed just a week ago. so many peeps looking to get more info into what was going at FTX and this is a perfect idea to explain just that!!
  • @james9872
    Fantastic review of the Enron case. Thank you for putting this together and allowing us to listen. I will say that I wish there were more photographs and footage of Enron and its executives -- especially Lay, Skilling, Fastow, et al. -- from before the Company’s collapse. 99% of what’s out there comprises photos and interviews from after the collapse, especially from the trial period. Anyway, side rant over. Best wishes.
  • @afterhours21711
    What's the difference between California and the Titanic? The Titanic had its lights on when it sank.😂
  • @tjabramosr7885
    The Fundrise scandal began with whistleblowers and concerned investors raising allegations of misconduct and questionable practices within the platform. These allegations ranged from misrepresentation of investment opportunities to potential conflicts of interest involving Fundrise executives.
  • This is really well done - than you guys! I listened to the whole thing and it was captivating.
  • @alexc2649
    Andersen Consulting Split from Arthur Andersen way before the enron bankruptcy. They began splitting in 1989. The final split happened in 2000. They rebranded in early 2001.
  • @lindagalindo2524
    I haven't finished listening yet but hope you answer...Is mark to market accounting still legal / allowed?
  • @cbbcbb6803
    Invest in the best companies, you say? There was a time when ENRON was a so-called "best" company. Oh. And, people generally do not learn from history. Ask questions? Ask what questions? Who knows what questions? The first question to ask is "what questions should we ask?"
  • @neoibnid303
    Love this channel, podcast. Would you do an ep about the big 4? 🎉
  • Really enjoyed this. Will be listening to your other content at work. Thoroughly recommend the book 'Smartest guys in the room' and the book by Brian Cruver - adapted to a TV film called "the crooked E" available on YouTube. I'm fascinated by what makes otherwise smart founders, CEOs, and executives.cross the line either in terms of risk, morality or legality. When you're worth 10s of millions legitimately I don't see the upside from taking risks that will wipe you out, or worse ruin your reputation and end up with a trip to club fed.
  • I think it is interesting to think if Enron had decided to offer dividends for shareholders, if Enron would still be around, or at least had been around longer than their 2001 demise. Because shareholders would act like some of the greedy executives of the company, they would turn a blind eye as long as the dividend check was good.
  • A few minor misses but overall a great podcast about a confluence of bad stuff. Get a bunch of people together who have bad intentions and zero moral compass and there you go.
  • @TAB_123
    Your reluctance to use a “curse word”gave me the ick. Feels immature. I promise there are no 7 year olds watching this 3.5 hr long video on the fall of Enron.