Ebbers never made 'an accounting decision' - witness

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Ebbers never made 'an accounting decision' - witness

Trial continues

By Tim Richardson → More by this author

Published Tuesday 1st February 2005 11:40 GMT

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Former Worldcom boss Bernie Ebbers never made "an accounting decision", a Manhattan court heard yesterday.

On day three in the witness stand former WorldCom financial controller David Myers faced cross examination from Ebbers' defence lawyer Reid Weingarten.

Myers was asked if he'd ever knew Ebbers to "make an accounting decision?".

"Not that I am aware of," replied Myers.

Weingarten went on: "Did you ever know Mr Ebbers to make an accounting entry into Worldcom books?"

"No," replied Myers. He told the court that he had doctored the books on instructions from former CFO Scott Sullivan, the BBC reports. Myers has already pleaded guilty to his part in the $11bn (£5.8bn) accounting scandal and is now helping the prosecution.

Last year Sullivan admitted "engaging in a fraudulent scheme to conceal WorldCom's poor financial performance" and is expected to be the Government's star witness against Ebbers.

Ebbers faces fraud charges over the 2002 collapse of the US telecoms giant. He denies all charges. The trial is expected to last for eight weeks. ®

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