Shell Games III

Profiteering manipulations of the California energy market, a practice Enron pioneered, this time allegedly by JP Morgan Chase. Electricity traded around via “schemes” that picked the pocket of state authorities, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. So, yet again, fast-talking, sleight of hand, contractual labyrinths and doctored documents–cautionary emails allegedly morphed into endorsements–pass for productive economic activity, which very likely earned the masterminds kudos and bonuses at the time.  An empty-calorie economy!