09.02.2013 Views

Enron Corp. - University of California | Office of The President

Enron Corp. - University of California | Office of The President

Enron Corp. - University of California | Office of The President

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

(a) Collateralized Loan Obligations ("CLOs").<br />

(b) Nowa Sarzyna (Poland Power Plant).<br />

(c) MEGS, LLC.<br />

(d) Yosemite.<br />

Vinson & Elkins structured each <strong>of</strong> these transactions for <strong>Enron</strong>.<br />

815. <strong>The</strong> transactions between the LJMs and <strong>Enron</strong> or its affiliates occurred close to<br />

the end <strong>of</strong> financial reporting periods to artificially boost reported results to meet forecasts <strong>Enron</strong><br />

and other participants in the scheme had been making. For instance, near the end <strong>of</strong> the 3rdQ and<br />

4thQ 99, <strong>Enron</strong> sold interests in seven assets to LJM1 and LJM2 in transactions structured, reviewed<br />

and approved by Vinson & Elkins. <strong>The</strong> transactions permitted <strong>Enron</strong> to conceal its true debt levels<br />

by removing the assets from <strong>Enron</strong>'s balance sheet and, at the same time, record large gains.<br />

However, (i) as Vinson & Elkins knew <strong>Enron</strong> had agreed in advance it would do, <strong>Enron</strong> bought<br />

back five <strong>of</strong> the seven assets after the close <strong>of</strong> the financial reporting period; (ii) the LJM<br />

partnerships made large pr<strong>of</strong>its on every transaction, even when the asset it had purchased<br />

actually declined in market value; and (iii) those transactions generated "earnings" for <strong>Enron</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> $229 million in the second half <strong>of</strong> 99 out <strong>of</strong> total earnings for that period <strong>of</strong> $549 million. In<br />

three <strong>of</strong> these transactions where <strong>Enron</strong> ultimately bought back LJM's interest, <strong>Enron</strong> had agreed<br />

in advance to protect the LJM partnerships against any loss. Thus, the LJM partnerships<br />

functioned only as vehicles to accommodate defendants in the manipulation, falsification and<br />

artificial inflation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Enron</strong>'s reported financial results, while enriching the LJM2 investors.<br />

816. One "hedging" transaction with LJM in 6/99 involved Rhythms stock owned by<br />

<strong>Enron</strong>, to "hedge" <strong>Enron</strong>'s huge gains in Rhythms stock and enable <strong>Enron</strong> to create a huge<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>it. <strong>Enron</strong> transferred its own stock to the SPE in exchange for a note. But if the SPE were<br />

- 555 -

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!