In the movie Wall Street, Gordon Gekko said: “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary mind. Greed, in all its forms: greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge, has marked the rise of humanity” (Mali, 2013, para. 8). This quote accurately identifies the motivation behind the actions of Bernie Madoff and Enron. Both Madoff and Enron were hungry for business. Both violated corporate ethics issues by acting fraudulently to steal money from customers and shareholders. Bernie Madoff was once a famous stockbroker, investment advisor and financier before committing fraud and leading the largest financial scheme in American history. He gained people's trust through his reputation and the content of his CV. Ultimately, his Ponzi scheme swindled hundreds and thousands of dollars out of his clients' pockets. Enron, a natural gas company, hid billions in debt after failed projects and deals. The company was able to continue operating thanks to flaws and poor financial reporting. These two cases are examples of ethical irresponsibility. These are great examples of why a code of ethics is not enough. Companies must create a culture that instills a strong sense of ethics and integrity and eliminates anyone who threatens or violates this established culture. Bernie Madoff and his wife founded Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, LLC. The company “attracted investors through word of mouth and built an impressive client list” (Bernard Maddoff Biography, 2014, p. 1). The company was known for reliable returns of 10% or more (Bernard Madoff Biography, 2...... middle of paper ......The Sarbanes-Oxley Act addresses the proper filing of financial documents as well as rules and regulations to follow when operating as a large company (Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 2002) Some of the consequences arising from the law include fines and imprisonment of up to 20 years for document destruction. . destroy company audit records Since the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was in effect at the time Bernie Madoff was charged with security fraud, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his wrongdoing (Bernard). Madoff, 2014). culture deeply rooted in strong ethics. done in people.