Former WorldCom chief jailed for five years

Former WorldCom finance chief Scott Sullivan has today been sentenced to five years in prison for his high-ranking role in the…

Former WorldCom finance chief Scott Sullivan has today been sentenced to five years in prison for his high-ranking role in the largest accounting fraud in US history.

WorldCom CFO Scott Sullivan leaves federal court after his fraud conviction sentencing today in New York. Pic: Getty Images
WorldCom CFO Scott Sullivan leaves federal court after his fraud conviction sentencing today in New York. Pic: Getty Images

Sullivan became the fifth WorldCom executive to be sentenced to prison in the $6 billion scandal. His sentence is topped only by that of ex-CEO Bernard Ebbers, who got 25 years.

Sullivan (43), was the star witness at Ebbers' trial earlier this year, testifying the CEO repeatedly instructed him to "hit the numbers" - or adjust WorldCom's books to meet Wall Street expectations.

"I made horrible decisions," Sullivan told the court. "It was a misguided effort to save the company...I ask for leniency so I can get back to my family as soon as possible," said Sullivan.

"Mr Sullivan was the architect of the fraud at WorldCom," said US District Judge Barbara Jones.

AP

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter