Sullivan Must Defend Fraud Charges

Former WorldCom Inc. Chief Financial Officer Scott D. Sullivan must defend criminal fraud charges, a judge ruled as she turned aside his request to dismiss a federal indictment.

Sullivan told U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones that the government’s failure to specify which false statements he allegedly made, both in bank loan applications and in WorldCom securities filings, made his indictment unconstitutional. Jones disagreed.

Sullivan has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy, securities fraud and bank fraud. His trial is scheduled to start Feb. 2.