Stratton Oakmont Scandal: Stock Manipulation by Proxies

Stratton Oakmont Scandal: Stock Manipulation by Proxies

What was the Stratton Oakmont scandal? How did employees at Stratton Oakmont participate in stock manipulation? While there are many ways for investment firms to make money, the practice of choice for Stratton Oakmont was stock price manipulation. Jordan Belfort’s traders artificially inflated the stock price of a company during its Initial Public Offering (IPO) while holding on to more shares of that company than was allowed by SEC rules. Continue reading to learn more about Stratton Oakmont’s scandalous method of making money.

Confidence Man by Maggie Haberman: A Donald Trump Biography

Donald Trump waving.

What can we learn from Confidence Man, by Maggie Haberman? How did Donald Trump become the public figure that he is? In Confidence Man by Maggie Haberman, we learn how Donald Trump’s family values led to a transactional mindset in relationships that fed his success in business and politics. To understand why Trump carried the presidency the way that he did, it helps to hear New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman’s analysis. Continue reading to learn more from this biography of Donald Trump.

How Jordan Belfort’s Lifestyle Ruined His Life

A bottle spilling pills on a wood table.

What were the consequences of Jordan Belfort’s lifestyle? How did Belfort try to escape from Stratton Oakmont during a criminal investigation? Even though Belfort went to prison for financial misdealings, it was his excessive lifestyle that almost destroyed him before the law caught up. Belfort’s addictions to drugs, sex, and risk-taking behavior continue to dominate his life even after he left Stratton Oakmont behind. Learn how Belfort’s “early retirement” became a downward spiral of drug use, depression, and self-destruction.

Donald Trump’s Childhood: Conditional Love and Manipulation

Donald Trump’s Childhood: Conditional Love and Manipulation

What was Donald Trump’s childhood like? What values did he learn from his parents? Donald Trump’s childhood was marked by conditional love from his parents and an attitude that relationships are only worth what you can get out of them. Learning how he grew up offers insights into his later career and values. Continue reading for insights from Trump’s childhood and early years.

The Wolf of Wall Street Quotes: Getting Rich Through Crime

A young man reading a book with a view of a city.

What are the best The Wolf of Wall Street quotes? How did Jordan Belfort lead Stratton Oakmont to its success, and then its downfall? In The Wolf of Wall Street, Jordan Belfort explains how he enriched himself through illegal stock manipulation and how he hid his ill-gotten riches by laundering his money. He also details how he fostered a culture of hedonistic excess at his firm. Below is a collection of The Wolf of Wall Street quotes that summarize Belfort’s story.

Donald Trump’s Racism and Stereotyping Origins

Donald Trump’s Racism and Stereotyping Origins

Where does Donald Trump’s racism come from? What factors contributed to his tendency to stereotype by race? Donald Trump’s racism comes from a segregated upbringing and a lack of exposure to minority communities. Understanding where this comes from offers insight into how it can be addressed. Learn where Donald Trump’s racism comes from and why he has the beliefs that he does.

Jordan Belfort’s Early Life and Stratton Oakmont’s Beginnings

An image of Jordan Belfort with wireless microphone.

What was Jordan Belfort’s early life like? When did Belfort build Stratton Oakmont? Though Belfort’s memoir The Wolf of Wall Street starts at the height of his power, he provides snippets throughout that describe his life before Wall Street and illustrate how success affected him. He takes a look at his early days and his lifestyle once he’d achieved massive wealth. Keep reading to learn more about the man behind Stratton Oakmont.

Jordan Belfort: Money Laundering for Stratton Oakmont

A washing machine full of dollar bills as part of a money laundering scheme.

How does Stratton Oakmont rank as one of the most famous money laundering cases? How did Jordan Belfort launder money? Jordan Belfort’s money laundering scheme at Stratton Oakmont is infamous. To pull it off, Belfort used a Swiss bank account, took advantage of family members, created a fictitious corporation, and more. Here’s how Belfort used Stratton Oakmont to launder money.

Barbra Streisand: Childhood, Self-Perception, and #1 Value

Barbra Streisand: Childhood, Self-Perception, and #1 Value

What was Barbra Streisand’s childhood like? What does she value more than anything else? What question did she ask Queen Elizabeth? We all know Barbra Streisand as a star of theater, movies, television, and music. But, before that, she was a child from a troubled family. In her memoir, she discusses her upbringing and how it affected her. She also shares her top value and how she sees herself—perceptions that are, in part, shaped by that difficult childhood. Read more to learn about Barbra Streisand’s childhood, self-perception, and what she values most.