dentify and explain specific incidents of wrongdoing reflected in the Stipulated Final
Judgment from THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA v. WELLS
FARGO BANK, N. A. (Case No. BC580778) in the Superior Court of Los Angeles
County and from other reliable sources. To what have the parties to this legal action
agreed? How does this agreement impact financial institutions and their customers in
the United States? Why is this Consumer Action by the Los Angeles City Attorney of
historical significance?
Choose two real-life examples of wrongdoing illustrated by one or more of the
following theatrical and/or documentary films: Dirty Money (any episode from the
two seasons available from the Netflix original television series, 2018), Erin
Brockovich (directed by Steven Soderbergh, 2000), Catch Me If You Can (directed by
Steven Spielberg, 2002), Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (directed by Alex
Gibney, 2005), The Wolf of Wall Street (directed by Martin Scorsese, 2013), The
Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (directed by Alex Gibney, 2019), The Wizard
of Lies (directed by Barry Levinson, 2017), Silk Road (directed by Tiller Russell,
2021) and/or The Big Short (directed by Adam McKay, 2016).
Supported by reliable and verifiable sources other than the films you choose, identify
and explain specific wrongful behavior for each and how the activity is injurious.
Who are the perpetrators? What did they do wrong? Who are the victims? Was justice
achieved in these matters?
compare and contrast the actions of Wells Fargo Bank with
the two examples of wrongful behavior illustrated by the films you choose. What
facts are in common and which facts are distinct? How might the activity violate
criminal law? In your opinion, what should be the appropriate penalty for such
wrongful behavior? Should individuals be held criminally responsible for actions
committed on behalf of the corporate entities that employ them?
