Enron was an energy company based in Houston, Texas. It was one of the world's largest providers of electricity, natural gas, pulp and paper, and communications systems. In 2001 it was revealed that the company's success was based largely on a massive, institutionalized, accounting fraud scheme that eventually led to Enron's bankruptcy and the dissolution of the Arthur Anderson accounting firm. Appeal trials for the executives indited in the case are ongoing, Houston News.

In 2001, it was revealed that numerous "creative" accounting methods had allowed Enron to commit fraud by inflating revenue figures. The company filed for bankruptcy on December 2, 2001, and Enron's shares dropped from $90.00 to $.50 on the NYSE, creating a disastrous financial situation for many share-holders.