Founder of WorldCom sentenced to 25 years in federal prison

Former WorldCom founder and CEO Bernard Ebbers was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for his role in the massive accounting fraud that brought down the telecom giant, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

Ebbers, 63, was found guilty in March on charges he ordered the telecom's finances inflated to cover massive losses that led to an $11 billion accounting fraud, which bankrupted the company in 2002.

Judge Barbara S. Jones handed down the sentence in federal district court in Manhattan, citing her decision took into account the seriousness of the charges and the effect the massive fraud had on many, according to the report.