WorldCom fraudster looking at life term

NEW YORK - Former WorldCom Inc chief executive Bernard Ebbers will probably get a stiff prison term that could last the rest of his life when sentenced by a US judge this week, legal experts said on Monday.

The one-time milkman and high school sports coach, who was convicted in March of orchestrating the largest business fraud in US history, will probably receive 10 to 20 years in prison - or possibly more - when he is sentenced today, experts said.

For the 63-year-old Ebbers, that essentially could mean a life sentence, probably at a minimum security federal facility where other white-collar criminals have been jailed.

Ebbers is "a little bit on uncharted ground because of the size of the fraud", said Robert Giuffra, a partner at law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

"You could be looking at a lifetime sentence almost, though whether the judge will actually impose that sentence or not, I don't know."

The ex-WorldCom chief was convicted in March on nine counts of conspiracy, securities fraud and filing false statements with regulators stemming from the $US11 billion ($16.51 billion) accounting scandal. His lawyers have vowed to appeal.

Barry Felder, an attorney at Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner, said he expects Manhattan federal Judge Barbara Jones will hand down a relatively harsh sentence. More and more judges are trying to send a message that corporate fraud will not be tolerated, he said.

"I do think it's likely that he is going to get some substantial time," he said.

Because he is not a violent offender, Ebbers would probably serve time at a place like Eglin Federal Prison Camp near Pensacola, Florida, that has no bars, barbed wire or guard towers, Giuffra said.

Ebbers recently agreed to forfeit almost all of his personal wealth, estimated at nearly $US45 million, to WorldCom investors.

WorldCom, now known as MCI Inc, filed for bankruptcy protection in July 2002.

Ebbers is one of many high-profile US executives to go on trial for alleged boardroom wrongdoing.

- REUTERS