Jeff Skilling: Moral Ceo’s Essay Example
Jeff Skilling: Moral Ceo’s Essay Example

Jeff Skilling: Moral Ceo’s Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (495 words)
  • Published: October 21, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Jeff Skilling was the CEO of Enron Corporation in 2001 and was convicted of multiple federal felony charges relating to Enron’s financial collapse. Skilling was a consultant for McKinsey and Company and worked with Enron in 1987, he helped create a forward market for the in natural gas. Skilling impressed Kenneth Lay and was hired by Enron in 1990 as chairman and chief executive officer of Enron Finance Corp.

In 1991 he became the chairman of the Enron Gas Services Co. , which was the result of the merger of Enron Gas Marketing and Enron Finance Corp.In 1997 he was again promoted to President and chief operating officer, only second to Kenneth Lay. Skilling began creating a new idea where the company didn’t really need assets but by pushing the company’s aggressive investment strategy he helped make Enro

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n the biggest wholesaler of gas and electricity. In 2001 Skilling was named CEO of Enron receiving 132 million dollars in a single year. The firms figures were astounding but had to be taken at face value, under Skilling, Enron adopted the market-to-market accounting, which anticipated future profits from any deal were tabulated as if it was real today.

Enron could record gains from what over time could turn out as losses. This way when the company’s fiscal health dropped it could still maintain high stock prices. This meant more investor capital that could help dig Enron from the debt that it had obtained over years. In August of 2001 Skilling unexpectedly resigned claiming personal reasons.

He soon sold large blocks of his shares in the company. Kenneth Lay then took over again as CEO of the company but

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Enron had to declare bankruptcy in December of 2001. Skilling was indicted of 28 accounts of fraud, insider trading, conspiracy and other crimes relating to the fall of Enron.Skilling had sold almost 60 millions dollars in his stake of the company and used 40 million the preparation of the trial. He was found guilty on accounts of fraud, insider trading, conspiracy and making false statements to auditors.

He was sentenced to 24 years in prison and will be released when he his 74. In the end, Skilling and whoever else that were involved in this terrible scandal will pay dearly for their crimes. Not only in finances but also with time in prison, but the upsetting part are the billions of dollars lost or honest investors, thousands of jobs lost for honest workers all due to the unethical practice of a few big wigs. The ethical side of business is one of the most important if not the most important, it understandable that as an employee you want your company to do the best it possibly can but is it worth giving up your morals and principles? Is it worth putting thousands of people out without jobs and without their life’s savings? As a CEO of major company’s you have to be willing to put your company and your shareholders, stockholders and employees ahead of yourself

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