Generative Worlds of White-Collar Crime

Abstract

By chance, we began writing the preface to this collection of 34 articles that consider various aspects of white-collar crime in different parts of theworld onthe day that thecriminal trial of thetwo leading Enron executives opened in the federal courthouse in Houston, Texas. The Enron excesses both epito- mized and adumbrated a deluge of exposed corporate wrongdoing, bothinthe United States and in other industrialized nations throughout the world. As this volume now goes to press some months later, the trial is now over, with both defendants—former Enron President, Kenneth L. Lay,and the onetime chief operating officer, Jeffrey K. Skilling having been found guilty.Lay reportedly died of a heart attack while vacationing in Colorado shortly after the verdicts.