The defendants

Published: August 28, 2003

Bernard J. Ebbers: Bernie Ebbers presided over the massive buildup and spectacular collapse of one of the world's largest telecommunications corporations. Ebbers resigned as WorldCom's chief executive in April 2002 after the stock price plummeted amid questions about accounting methods. Earlier this year, external investigations found that Ebbers conspired with top managers and other employees to carry out massive fraud at the company, now called MCI. Although under federal investigation for more than a year, he has not been charged by federal authorities.

Scott D. Sullivan: WorldCom's longtime chief financial officer, Sullivan was fired in June 2002 after the company uncovered $3.8 billion in expenses that were improperly booked as capital expenditures. Sullivan was indicted a year ago on conspiracy and securities-fraud charges. In April, he pleaded not guilty to new charges alleging he filed false financial statements to secure $4.5 billion in lines of credit for the company. He faces more than 100 years behind bars on the federal charges.

David F. Myers: The company's controller was fired in June 2002 and later surrendered to face federal charges. Myers allegedly knew about the questionable accounting treatments at WorldCom going back two years. Myers pleaded guilty to accounting fraud charges in September 2002. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the federal charges.

Buford T. Yates Jr.: Yates, former director of general accounting, pleaded guilty to accounting fraud in October 2002. He worked for Myers. Both men are considered important witnesses against Sullivan, who is accused of orchestrating the fraud that led to huge losses for investors and resulted in the biggest bankruptcy filing in history. Yates faces up to 20 years in prison on the federal charges.

Betty L. Vinson: Vinson, former WorldCom director of management reporting, reported to Yates, who supervised the closing of the quarterly books and the consolidation of WorldCom's financial statements. Vinson pleaded guilty in October 2002 to conspiracy and securities fraud charges. Vinson, who has agreed to cooperate with federal investigators, has said she was pressured to make bogus accounting entries. She faces up to 15 years in prison.

Troy M. Normand: Normand, former WorldCom director of legal entity accounting, also reported to Yates. He pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy and securities fraud charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Like Vinson, Normand said he was ordered by his superiors to falsify financial records. He faces up to 15 years in prison.