The history of business is filled with extraordinary moments that have shaped industries and economies.
Some companies have seen, and continue to experience, remarkable success.
But other cases have seen dark days that have led to huge losses, companies collapsing, destroyed reputations and even prison sentences.
Here are the top 10 darkest days in corporate history.
Enron Scandal – December 2, 2001
Enron was once a powerhouse in energy trading. But in 2001, it collapsed due to widespread accounting fraud. Executives had been using dubious accounting practices to hide massive debt and inflate profits.
When the scandal broke, Enron filed for bankruptcy, wiping out $74 billion in shareholder wealth and causing thousands of employees to lose their jobs and savings. The fallout from the scandal eventually led to stricter regulations through the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Several Enron executives were jailed as a result of the scandal.
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The Lehman Brothers Collapse – September 15, 2008
Lehman Brothers, a 158-year-old financial firm, filed for bankruptcy during the 2008 financial crisis. With over $600 billion in assets, it was the largest bankruptcy in US history.
The collapse triggered panic in global markets, leading to massive bailouts and a deep economic recession. It remains a stark example of the dangers of unchecked risk in financial institutions.
BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill – April 20, 2010
BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and spilling millions of barrels of oil into the ocean. It was the worst oil spill in US history, devastating marine ecosystems and affecting coastal economies.
BP faced billions in fines, settlements, and clean-up costs.
Volkswagen Emissions Tests – September 18, 2015
Volkswagen admitted to installing “defeat devices” in its vehicles to cheat emissions tests, impacting 11 million cars worldwide.
This allowed the cars to pass emissions standards while emitting up to 40 times the allowed pollution levels in real-world conditions. The scandal resulted in billions in fines and settlements and deeply tarnished VW’s reputation for environmental responsibility.
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The WorldCom Fraud – July 21, 2002
WorldCom, once a telecom giant, engaged in one of the largest accounting frauds in U.S. history. Executives used fraudulent accounting practices to hide losses and inflate earnings.
When the truth came to light, the company filed for bankruptcy, resulting in losses exceeding $100 billion for shareholders.
The scandal shook confidence in corporate governance and accounting standards.
The Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Scandal – March 2018
Facebook faced intense scrutiny after it was revealed data from 87 million users was improperly harvested by political consultancy Cambridge Analytica.
The data was allegedly used to influence elections in several countries, raising concerns about data privacy and the manipulation of democracy through targeted advertising. The scandal led to public outrage, regulatory investigations, and a massive decline in Facebook’s stock value.
The Rana Plaza Collapse – April 24, 2013
The Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 1,100 workers and injuring thousands more. The building had been constructed with substandard materials and was not fit to house factories.
The tragedy highlighted the dangerous working conditions in the global garment industry and led to global calls for improved labor standards and safety regulations.
Theranos Fraud – March 14, 2018
Theranos, a biotech startup led by Elizabeth Holmes, claimed to revolutionize blood testing with groundbreaking technology. However, investigations revealed the technology did not work, and the company had misled investors, doctors, and patients.
Holmes and other executives were charged with fraud, and the company’s $9 billion valuation evaporated overnight. It was a sobering reminder of the dangers of hype in the tech and healthcare sectors.
She is currently appealing an 11 year prison sentence.
The Sampoong Department Store Collapse – June 29, 1995
In Seoul, South Korea, the Sampoong Department Store collapsed due to structural failures caused by poor construction practices and building code violations.
The disaster killed 502 people and injured 937, making it one of the deadliest peacetime building collapses in history. It exposed severe flaws in construction oversight and corporate responsibility, leading to legal reforms.
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Purdue Pharma and the Opioid Crisis – August 2019
Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, faced lawsuits from various states for its role in fueling the opioid crisis in the US.
The company was accused of aggressively marketing the drug while downplaying its addictive potential.
In 2019, Purdue filed for bankruptcy amid mounting legal claims. The crisis has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and remains one of the most severe public health crises in recent history.
Lessons learned from dark days
These dark days in corporate history have left indelible marks on their industries and beyond. They serve as powerful reminders of the importance of transparency, ethical practices, and corporate responsibility.
Each scandal or disaster reveals the fragility of even the largest corporations and the impact their actions can have on society, workers, and the environment.
