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Tag: Enron
CEO pied in viral video part of satirical Enron relaunch
The claim: Video shows Enron CEO getting hit in the face with a pie
A Dec. 13 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a man getting hit in the face by a pie in an image that is a screenshot of an X post.
“Enron’s new CEO was hit with a pie in NYC,” reads the X post’s caption.
Several commenters said the video was satire, but others appeared to interpret it seriously.
“I bet for a second he thought he was dead,” one commenter wrote. Another said, “I hope we can keep this up.”
The image was shared more than 1,000 times in about two weeks. Similar posts circulated on Threads and Instagram.
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Our rating: Satire
This post is satire on multiple levels. The “Enron CEO” shown in the image is a satirist who took over the Enron trademark as performance art, and the pie in the face appears to have been staged to resemble an infamous pie attack on Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
Enron CEO part of satirical company rebrand
Enron was an energy trading company that filed for bankruptcy in 2001 amid revelations it had overstated its earnings. The FBI described the case as “the most complex white-collar crime investigation” in the agency’s history.
In 2021, an entity called The College Company LLC took over registration of the Enron trademark to sell clothing, according to federal patent and trademark filings. The application lists an email address containing Connor Gaydos’ name as the primary contact. Gaydos and the College Company is also behind Birds Aren’t Real – a satirical faux-conspiracy theory suggesting birds no longer exist and were replaced by bird-like government drones to spy on citizens.
The Enron brand reemerged online in December, 23 years after the energy company filed for bankruptcy. Its new website describes the company as “nice” and “repentant,” and features a video of Gaydos introducing himself as the CEO.
Its use of parody is spelled out in the fine print. The site’s terms and conditions state, “The information on the website is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art and is for entertainment purposes only.”
Fact check: Medical debt forgiveness announced months before insurance CEO’s slaying
On Dec. 4, two days after the Enron brand reemerged, a gunman shot and killed UnitedHealth Care CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan. The shooting stoked a national conversation surrounding health insurance ethics and political violence.
The pie video appears to have emerged about a week later. Several commenters compared the pie incident to the shooting.
“Luigi’s influence is spreading lol,” one commenter wrote under the Facebook post, presumably referencing the alleged shooter, Luigi Mangione.
The setup of the supposed Enron pie incident closely resembles an infamous 1998 incident in which Gates was hit in the face with a pie. In both cases the victim was walking from a street onto a sidewalk in a dense urban area when the person with the pie leaps out from behind a pillar.
A company has a pending application to use Enron’s trademark for cryptocurrency exchange, among other services.
The College Company also has a pending application to use the trademark for “educational and entertainment services,” including “a continuing program about the dangers of corporatism and corporate greed.”
Spokesman Will Chabot told the Washington Post that Enron would have more to share soon. As of Dec. 23, the company’s website featured a live countdown to a Jan. 6 event titled “The Enron Power Summit.”
USA TODAY reached out to the media contact email address listed on Enron’s website but did not immediately receive a response. The account that posted the image on Facebook did not provide evidence supporting the claim when contacted by USA TODAY.
Our fact-check sources
- Enron, accessed Dec. 20, Enron.com
- FBI, accessed Dec. 23, Famous cases and criminals: Enron
- Patent and Trademark Office, accessed Dec. 20, Trademark Status and Document Retrieval
- The New York Times, April 20, 1998, Brussels Journal; The Philosopher with a Pie, and a Glint in the Eye
- The Washington Post, Dec. 3, Enron brand returns online, but read the fine print
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In a shocking turn of events, the CEO of the newly relaunched satirical Enron company was caught on camera being pied in the face during a viral video. The video, which has been circulating on social media, shows the CEO being pied by an unknown individual while giving a speech at a company event.The incident has sparked controversy and debate among viewers, with some finding the prank hilarious and others questioning the professionalism of the CEO. However, the company has since released a statement confirming that the incident was staged as part of a marketing campaign to promote their satirical take on corporate greed and corruption.
Despite the mixed reactions, the viral video has certainly generated buzz for the relaunched Enron company, which aims to use satire and humor to shed light on the darker side of corporate America. Only time will tell if this controversial marketing tactic pays off for the company, but one thing is for sure – they certainly know how to make a splash in the media.
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Financial Fraud Detection for the Prevention of Business Failure – Enron and Lehman Brothers
Price: $54.22
(as of Dec 28,2024 13:38:25 UTC – Details)
Financial fraud detection is crucial for the prevention of business failure, as exemplified by the cases of Enron and Lehman Brothers. These two companies serve as cautionary tales of the devastating consequences that can arise from fraudulent practices within organizations.Enron, once one of the largest energy companies in the world, famously collapsed in 2001 due to a massive accounting fraud scheme. The company’s executives engaged in deceptive accounting practices to inflate profits and hide debt, leading to a spectacular downfall that resulted in billions of dollars in losses for investors and employees. The scandal exposed the need for stricter regulations and more robust internal controls to prevent fraud within corporations.
Similarly, Lehman Brothers, a global financial services firm, filed for bankruptcy in 2008 after years of engaging in risky and deceptive financial practices. The company’s executives used off-balance sheet transactions and accounting gimmicks to hide the true extent of its liabilities, ultimately leading to the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. The collapse of Lehman Brothers had far-reaching consequences for the financial markets and played a significant role in triggering the global financial crisis.
To avoid a similar fate, businesses must prioritize the detection and prevention of financial fraud. Implementing robust internal controls, conducting regular audits, and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability are essential steps in safeguarding against fraudulent activities. Additionally, leveraging advanced technologies such as data analytics and artificial intelligence can enhance fraud detection capabilities and help identify suspicious patterns or anomalies in financial transactions.
By learning from the mistakes of Enron and Lehman Brothers, organizations can strengthen their defenses against financial fraud and protect themselves from the devastating impact of business failure. Vigilance, transparency, and a commitment to ethical business practices are key ingredients in safeguarding the financial health and sustainability of companies in today’s complex and interconnected business environment.
#Financial #Fraud #Detection #Prevention #Business #Failure #Enron #Lehman #Brothers
