Ebbers Asks for Leniency, Citing Health, Good Works

Former WorldCom Inc. Chairman Bernard J. Ebbers, who faces life in prison for directing the largest securities fraud in U.S. history, made a bid for leniency Friday by citing his charitable works and ill health.

Lawyers for Ebbers told U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones in New York to use her discretion under a Supreme Court ruling this year to impose a prison term “substantially below” the life sentence suggested by a court-ordered pre-sentence investigation. Ebbers will be sentenced July 13.

“Ebbers has led an exemplary life in which he has provided for his family, made extraordinary contributions to his community through his good works and other charitable deeds,” defense lawyer Reid Weingarten wrote in court papers.

Ebbers, 63, was convicted March 15 of directing an $11-billion accounting fraud at long-distance carrier WorldCom from 2000 to 2002. The company is now known as MCI Inc.

An appeal will be filed after sentencing if a new trial isn’t granted, defense lawyers said.

Ebbers, who is free on bail, was convicted of one count each of conspiracy and securities fraud and seven counts of filing false documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while the other eight counts each carry a maximum of 10 years in prison.

The Supreme Court in January said mandatory sentencing guidelines were unconstitutional and tossed them out.

Ebbers also said he suffered from four heart-related illnesses, including coronary artery disease.