Former WorldCom Inc. Chief Executive Bernard Ebbers, who built a small Mississippi-based long distance company into a telecommunications powerhouse, was found guilty on Tuesday of all nine criminal counts related to an accounting scandal that cost investors billions of dollars. The federal jury returned its verdict on the eighth day of deliberations, convicting the 63-year-old Ebbers of fraud, conspiracy and filing false documents with securities regulators. At his sentencing, set for June 13, Ebbers could face 85 years in prison. The tall, bearded Ebbers, who worked as a bouncer, basketball coach and milkman before getting into the telecommunications business, sat with his hands folded as the verdict was read and showed little reaction. He then turned to hug his wife, who was crying. "We profoundly disagree with the verdict," said Reid Weingarten, the lead attorney for Ebbers, promising to appeal the conviction. "The fight will continue." Ebbers declined to comment to reporters after the verdict, but spent two days on the witness stand during the trial defending himself against charges that he orchestrated a fraud at the worldwide telecommunications giant. --MORE 0021 Local Time 2121 GMT
