Corporate Compliance - Enron and Sarbanes Oxley (To Music)

Posted by D. Daniel Sokol

I use an Enron case study for class to discuss problems of corporate governance/compliance and regulatory response to crisis in my Business Associations class. The case study is in Smith and Williams, Business Organizations.  I also have an evening showing of the documentary Smartest Guys in the Room, based on the book by the same name about Enron for the class. One of my current students felt so moved on Monday that he created a song (based on Gangster's Paradise). The lyrics are below.  You can also listen to the song.

 

 

Download Juans Jam

 

 

As I walk through the (SILICON) valley of death

I take a look at my (ENRON STOCK AND ) realize there's no more left

Cause I've been (COOKING THE BOOKS) for so long that

Even (THE GAAP) thinks that my mind is gone

But I ain't never crossed (AN AGENCY) that didn't deserve it

(FASTOW) be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
You better watch how you (NEGOTIATE), and where you (WORKING)

Or you and your homies might be lined up in (COURT)

I really hate to trip, but I gotta lop'-

As they grew I see myself in the (GOLDEN PARACHUTE) fool

I'm the kinda (CEO) the (EXECUTIVES) wanna be like

In my  (PORSHE) at night

(EMBEZZLING MY  FUNDS) in the street light

 

Been spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Been spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

 

They got the situation, they got me facin'

I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the (WEALTHY)

So I gotta be down with (KEEP STASHING CASH OVERSEAS)

Too much (OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTING) got me chasin' dreams

I'm an educated fool with money on my mind

Got my SPE's  in my hand and a (GENIUS MBA) in my (GANG)

I'm a loc'ed out wall street gangsta, CORPORATE banger

And my (BOARD MEMBERS) (ARE)down, so don't arouse my anger, fool

(PRISON)  ain't nuthin but a heart beat away

I'm livin (THE WHITE COLLAR LIFE) , YO what can I say?

I'm 61 now, but will I live to see SARBANES AND OXLEY?

The way things are goin' I don't think they ll ever catch me

 

Tell me why are we, so blind to see

ENRON's hidden SPE's

 

Been spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Been spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

 

Power and the money, money and the power

Minute after minute, hour after hour

(SHAREHOLDERS)  runnin, but half of them ain't lookin

What's goin on in the kitchen, but I dont know what's cookin

(Skilling) say I got ta learn, but noones here to teach me,

If  (THE COURT) cant understand it, how can they reach me?

I guess they can't; I guess they won't

I guess its cool; they’ll call it the  BUSINESS JUDGMENT, RULE!

 

Been spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Been spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

Keep spending most our lives living in the SMARTEST GUY's  Paradise

 

Tell me why are we, so blind to see

ENRON's hidden SPE's

Tell me why are we, so blind to see

ENRON's hidden SPE's