There are some firms whose reputations converse for themselves—Enron, Lehman Brothers, Madoff, Theranos—the place the scandals have been so dishonorable you’d assume there can be zero likelihood of a comeback.
Nicely, you’d assume.
On Monday, a “new” Enron launched a press launch revealing its “relaunch” to “resolve the worldwide vitality disaster” simply in time for the twenty third anniversary of the corporate’s collapse.
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There is a new Enron.com web site that appears spookily legit, with “Who We Are,” “Careers,” and “Firm Retailer” choices. The shop is promoting merch (T-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweatshirts), and there is even an “worker” portal. Additionally they have new social channels.
The web site says a “huge” announcement is coming in six days.
Is Enron Actually Again?
It is uncertain. The relaunch seems to be an elaborate prank to promote merchandise. Ars Technica suggests the announcement that’s coming in six days could possibly be a crypto coin.
Publicly accessible paperwork discovered by CNN reveal that an LLC out of Arkansas known as The Faculty Firm purchased the Enron trademark in 2020 for $275. Connor Gaydos, the co-creator of “Birds Aren’t Actual,” a joke that turned a Millennial and Gen Z conspiracy principle, is linked to the LLC.
Beneath the phrases and situations, the web site says that it’s “protected parody” for “leisure functions solely,” per USA At present.
When CNN reached out to the press contact on the brand new web site, they acquired a reply from New York communications agency Stu Loeser & Co that mentioned they’re going to “have extra to share quickly,” and declined additional remark.
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What Occurred to Enron?
Previously based mostly in Houston, Texas, Enron was an vitality and commodities firm that collapsed in 2001 after executives have been discovered to have majorly overstated earnings and the monetary well being of the corporate.
Executives, together with the CEO as CFO, went to jail after receiving felony convictions for mendacity to buyers. On the time, Enron held greater than $60 billion in belongings and the scandal left hundreds of victims in its wake.
It was one of many greatest chapter filings within the historical past of the U.S., per Britannica. The corruption additionally led to the dissolution of Arthur Andersen LLP, which was then one of many largest auditing and accounting firms on this planet.
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