ExMage - absolutley right. The whole setup must be like a spiders web and the only reason they keep going is because of the fog of confusion their dealings have created. They have companies and sub-companies and buy/sell/ exchange assets and liabilties across them all. Pity the people (auditors) who have to pick the pieces - it's a web (of deceipt?) and will take years to unravel.
They leave behind them a wake of despair, wrecked careers and people's lives in total disarray.
I really feel for the ones at the coal face, not knowing which way to jump. I only hope they are able to recover their lives from this disgraceful event.