Former WorldCom chief Bernard Ebbers starts a 25-year federal prison sentence today for his role in a $11 billion accounting fraud case.
Ebbers, a former high school basketball coach, transformed the small telecommunications firm into an industry giant before collapsing in bankruptcy in 2002.
He was convicted last year for his central role in the company's $11 billion (€8.85 million) accounting fraud.
Ebbers was found guilty of conspiracy and securities fraud and seven counts of making false filings to the US Securities and Exchange Commission
Manhattan federal judge Barbara Jones, who sentenced Ebbers, said at the end of his trial that he "was clearly a leader of criminal activity in this case."
The earliest date at which he can be released is 2028, by which time he will be over 85.
The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Ebbers's conviction and sentence last month.