This assignment is on White collar crimes. THERE IS TWO PARTS TO THIS ASSIGNMENT. ONE IS THE 15-25 PAGE PAPER ON WHITE COLLAR CRIME AND THE OTHER PART IS A POWEREPOINT WITH SPARK NOTES ON WHITE COLLAR
CRJ 475 Project Proposal Form
Spring 2025 – Professor James C. Brown
1. Your name: Britney Cooley
2. Your major (CYB, CRJ, CIA, or FFCI): FFCI
3. I have read the project proposal sample provided in our classroom*: YES ____ NO ____
*This must be checked, yes. Review the full sample proposal before your final submission. Ask yourself this simple question; does my proposal look like the sample in terms of content/substance?
4. Executive Summary
Please provide a summary of the information detailed throughout this project proposal. What is the problem that you desire to study (summary), what is the purpose of your project (summary)?
The focus of this project is to analyze and evaluate the Enron Scandal, one of the most notorious cases of white-collar fraud in history. The collapse of Enron Corporation in 2001 resulted from unethical accounting practices that misled investors and regulators, ultimately leading to the loss of billions of dollars and the dissolution of Arthur Andersen LLP, one of the largest accounting firms at the time. This proposal aims to examine how corporate greed, lack of oversight, and fraudulent accounting led to Enron’s downfall. The purpose of the project is to investigate the methods used to commit fraud, the regulatory changes that followed, and the long-term impact on corporate governance and accounting practices.
5. Statement of Need
Discuss the needs or opportunities to be addressed by this project. Why is it necessary to know the information you propose to research?
White-collar fraud remains a significant concern in corporate environments, costing billions of dollars annually and eroding public trust. The Enron case is essential to study because it highlights the vulnerabilities within financial systems and corporate governance structures. Understanding this case can help law enforcement, corporate leaders, and policymakers identify warning signs and strengthen regulatory frameworks to prevent similar scandals. Moreover, studying the Enron scandal offers insights into how unethical behavior at the highest corporate levels can have catastrophic effects on employees, investors, and the economy.
6. Project Goals
Identify the goals of the project. Discuss what is to be achieved and the expected/desired outcomes of this project. Who would benefit from this study and how?
The primary goal of this project is to analyze the Enron scandal to identify the mechanisms used to commit fraud, evaluate the effectiveness of the legal and regulatory responses, and assess the long-term implications on corporate governance. Specifically, the objectives include:
Understanding the mark-to-market accounting method that allowed Enron to inflate its profits.
Evaluating the role of special purpose entities (SPEs) in concealing Enron’s debt.
Analyzing the legal outcomes, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and assessing their effectiveness in preventing future fraud.
The expected outcome is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of Enron’s impact on corporate policies and legal standards that regulate public companies today.
7. Constraints
Talk about constraints that could affect the development, implementation, and/or end outcomes of this project. Consider such factors as time, experience, knowledge, skill sets, budgetary resources, competitive environment, and existing investments.
Several constraints may affect the development and completion of this project. These include:
Time limitations: Conducting a thorough analysis of all aspects of the Enron scandal requires extensive research, and time constraints may limit the depth of the study.
Data availability: While Enron’s case is widely documented, certain internal documents and interviews may be difficult to access.
Complexity of financial data: Analyzing complex financial practices, such as mark-to-market accounting and the use of SPEs, may require advanced knowledge of accounting principles.
8. Requirements
Given your operational context, describe what needs to be in place during the project and afterwards in order for the project to be successful. In your discussion, consider the constraints you identified above and, if necessary, define requirements to compensate for constraints.
To successfully complete this project, the following elements need to be in place:
Access to credible sources: Scholarly articles, court documents, and government reports will be necessary for a thorough analysis.
Legal and financial expertise: Understanding the intricacies of financial reporting practices and legal proceedings related to white-collar fraud is essential.
Time for analysis and synthesis: Adequate time must be allocated to gather, analyze, and interpret the data effectively.
9. Time Line
A. In order for this project to meet CRJ 475 requirements, satisfy the needs and opportunities outlined above, and achieve your stated project goals, what is the desired timeline for the project?
Initial research and literature review: Weeks 1–3
Data collection and case study analysis: Weeks 4–6
Evaluation of regulatory changes and outcomes: Weeks 7–8
Drafting and review of the final report: Weeks 9–10
B. What do you think is the longevity or useful life of the solution?
The findings of this project will remain relevant for years as the principles of corporate governance and the prevention of white-collar fraud continue to evolve. The study will serve as a valuable reference for identifying patterns of fraudulent behavior and improving regulatory frameworks.
10. Impact: Costs and Risks (to you and others)
Discuss the expected impact of the project and its expected outcomes. Provide detail on expected and potential costs and risks. If you believe there are none, explain why.
The expected costs and risks associated with this project are minimal. The research relies primarily on publicly available data, minimizing financial costs. However, the complexity of analyzing financial data and legal proceedings presents a risk of misinterpretation or incomplete analysis. Careful review and validation of sources will mitigate these risks.
11. Impact: Benefits and Opportunities
Discuss the expected impact of the project and its expected outcomes. Provide detail and opportunities. Wherever possible, quantify the impact of the solution.
This project provides significant benefits by contributing to the understanding of white-collar fraud and informing future efforts to prevent corporate misconduct. The outcomes of this study will:
Enhance awareness of the risks associated with unethical corporate practices.
Support policymakers in refining regulatory frameworks.
Provide educators and students with a comprehensive case study on corporate fraud prevention.
12. Project Fit
Discuss how this project fits within the goals of CRJ 475 and your major program of study (CYB, CRJ, CIA, or FFCI).
This project aligns with the goals of CRJ 475 by addressing the complex nature of white-collar crime and examining how law enforcement, corporate governance, and regulatory frameworks can work together to prevent fraud. It complements the learning objectives of the Criminal Justice (CRJ) major by applying investigative and analytical skills to a real-world case.
13. Evaluation and Measurement
Propose criteria that might be used in defining and evaluating the success of this project and its end outcomes. What measurement standards are available to determine if the project is a success and the impact of its end outcomes? What benchmarks can be set up to determine the short-term and long-term efficacy of the project? Consider in your discussion the goals, requirements, and impact defined above.
The success of this project will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Depth of analysis: The extent to which the project covers the accounting practices, legal outcomes, and regulatory reforms post-Enron.
Accuracy of information: Ensuring that all data and sources are credible and properly interpreted.
Impact assessment: Measuring the relevance of the findings to current corporate governance practices and fraud prevention measures.
Benchmarks will be set for each phase of the project to ensure timely progress and the quality of the final submission.
14. Potential Solution
At a high level, describe a potential solution that would satisfy the goals and requirements defined above.
A high-level solution proposed to prevent future corporate fraud includes enhancing the transparency of financial reporting, strengthening regulatory oversight, and ensuring that corporate executives are held accountable. Incorporating advanced technology, such as AI-driven anomaly detection in financial systems, can further safeguard against fraudulent practices.
15. Human Subjects Approval
Research conducted by Utica University faculty and staff must be pre-approved by Utica’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) when that research involves collection of data from living people. The IRB process requires a background experience in social science research methodology as well as time to complete the application process and gain IRB approval. Please review Utica’s IRB policy (click here), and confirm there that you will not be collecting data from (living) human subjects or going through the IRB. You should contact Professor Brown immediately if you have any plans to collect data/surveys etc. from human subjects.
This project does not involve collecting data from living human subjects and therefore does not require approval from Utica University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).
16. Subject Matter Expert/Mentor
If applicable, describe your subject matter expert (SME) and what role that person expects to play in your project. If you are not taking advantage of an SME, explain why.
A subject matter expert (SME) may not be necessary for this project, as the primary focus is on analyzing publicly available data and legal documents. However, consultation with accounting or legal experts may provide additional insights and improve the quality of the analysis.
17. References
Identify—in full APA 7th bibliographic format—at least four scholarly/academic and/or professional/industry resources that are relevant to your proposed topic. If you are not able to identify these resources, you might not have an appropriate topic for the timeframe available.
Healy, P. M., & Palepu, K. G. (2003). The fall of Enron. Journal of Economic Perspectives,
17(2), 3-26. https://doi.org/10.1257/089533003765888403
Benston, G. J., & Hartgraves, A. L. (2002). Enron: What happened and what we can learn from
it. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 21(2), 105-127.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2002). Report of Investigation: Enron Corp
18. Additional Information
Provide below any additional considerations or information in support of this proposal.
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