Theyalsoloved Brookhaven and its people wherehe had a passion for leading Sunday school. His punishment was more severe than those imposed on two other chief executives from big corporate scandals in the same period, a 24-year prison term for Enrons Jeffrey Skilling and a 15-year term for Adelphia Communications John Rigas. His daughter, Joy Ebbers Bourne, of Madison, is leading the charge for his early release based on reform to Compassionate Release laws, which was included in the First Step Act signed by President Donald Trump last year. Ebbers was the former chief of telecoms company WorldCom, which was based in Mississippi before its collapse. The world may hate him but God loves him much more. Ebbers was released from prison in December amid failing health. Emails should be brief, citing the reason for writing and relationship to Ebbers. One analyst cited in an early profile in the late nineties said Bernie Ebbers was "the telephone equivalent of Bill Gates." . 2023 Getty Images. Bernie Ebbers was many things to many people, but the greatest role he ever had was being a father to his girls. Cambodian Child Comes to UMMC for Surgery. For Ebbers, who is 63 years old and has a heart ailment, this will likely mean spending the rest of . A reporter and a formal federal prosecutor who also . Feb 3, 2020, 04:16 AM EST. Bernie Ebbers' early release from prison should be noted by corporate boards not simply as a generous and empathic exercise of judicial discretion. 0:00. One analyst cited in an early profilein the late nineties said Bernie Ebbers was "the telephone equivalent of Bill Gates." . His death wasn't a complete shock; I saw recently that he was in ill health and was granted an early release from prison after serving 13 years of his 25-year sentence for securities fraud, conspiracy, and filing false reports with regulators.. My mom used to work for MCI, which eventually became WorldCom, in the mid-1990s until she . Bernie is preceded in death by his parents, Kathleen Mary and John Tony Ebbers, and grandchildren Baby Easley and Bernie Ellen Gates. Ebbers's statement constituted testimony that could not undergo cross-examination and Ebbers was threatened with Contempt of Congress charges, although no charges were filed. Theyalsoloved Brookhaven and its people wherehe had a passion for leading Sunday school. Skillings term was later shortened, and he and Rigas have been released. Bernie Ebbers was a Canadian-born businessman and former CEO of the telecommunications company WorldCom. The name changed to MCI WorldCom after the MCI purchase, and later back to WorldCom. He was granted early release after serving 12 years in December 2019, due to health problems. Im not an engineer by training; Im not an accountant by training - all those types of specialized skills, he told the New York Times in 1998, which interviewed him on his 130-foot yacht, Countach. Ebbers denied he was at fault, saying it was subordinates who had concealed WorldComs skyrocketing costs. Ebbers health was in decline by the time he sought early release from prison under a federal law allowing some older prisons to obtain freedom sooner. "The conversations between him and his daughter were very different then [sic] how he presented to this writer during our last encounter on 10/11/19 when he presented to this writer as though he didn't know he was in a prison nor the date and time," the psychologist writes. He became CEO two years later, and the company changed its name to WorldCom in 1995. Ebbers blamed his subordinates but was convicted of fraud and conspiracy. Jan Thurman, director of social services at Kings Daughters Medical Center, sent her letter to Caproni Wednesday. Did Supremes Make Judicial Elections Partisan? Ebbers qualifies due to his age, time served and his current medical condition. A charismatic businessman who went from Wall Street superstar to untouchable almost overnight, former Worldcom CEO Bernie Ebbers . When we arrived at the federal courthouse on December 18, we learned Dad had once again been admitted to the hospital. [33][34], On July 13, 2005, federal judge Barbara S. Jones, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, sentenced Ebbers to 25 years in a federal prison in Louisiana. Bernie Ebbers turned WorldCom into the nation's second largest long distance telecommunications company through a series of rapid acquisitions that left it heavily in the red. . So So Sad to hear about the death of my long time friend Bernie Ebbers (May His soul Rest In Peace. Leave your feedback. Visitation is from 4-8, The funeral service for Kenneth Alva Berry will be 11 a.m., Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Central Baptist church, with, Memorial services for Mr. Alexander Dean King of McComb are 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Riverwood Family with, The funeral service for Robert Lee Hadley, Jr. will be 2 p.m., Friday, February 24, at Riverwood Family with interment, Service will be 4:00 pm Tuesday February 21, at Riverwood Family and visitation from 3:00 until the time of the, The funeral service for L.J. Bernard "Bernie" J. Ebbers ran into the arms of Jesus on February 2, 2020, surrounded by his family in Brookhaven, Miss. A jury finished its second day of deliberations in . . American Greed investigates one of the most notorious cases of corporate fraud in US history: the rise and fraud of WorldCom. In a response filed in court Tuesday, Ebbers attorney Graham Carner said the alleged discrepancies can be explained by factors that have nothing to do with fakery. his side for the last weeks of his life here on earth. I sometimes said things I shouldnt have said, maybe.. That title is now held by Lehman Brothers bankruptcy in 2008. He was 78 . In turn, he has been rewarded for his success. Whom have I in heaven but thee? Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. [24], When the allegations of conspiracy and fraud were first brought to light in 2002, Ebbers addressed the congregation and insisted on his innocence. The Ebbers family released a statement thanking Judge Valerie Caproni, as they got to spend Bernies final days with him: On behalf of the Ebbers family, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Judge Valerie Caproni for her truly compassionate decision to release Dad from prison in December. We could get no answers from the medical staff. Bernard "Bernie" J. EbbersBrookhaven - Bernard "Bernie" J. Ebbers ran in to the arms of Jesus on February 2, 2020, surrounded by his family in Brookhaven, Miss. Bernie began as a coachand took that approach inevery aspect of life. She filed for divorce on April 16, 2008, less than two years after he entered prison. In July 2019, one of Ebbers' daughters submitted a request that her father receive compassionate release from a federal prison medical facility in Fort Worth, Texas. His daughter, Joy Ebbers Bourne, says in a sworn declaration that her father has dementia . Bernie Ebbers was many things to many people, but the greatest role he ever had was being a father to his girls. In a letter Monday to U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina Castellano cites a note from a prison psychologist who listened in on phone calls between Ebbers and his daughter in recent weeks. That made Ebbers company a rival for AT&T, Verizon and other long-distance carriers, and made Ebbers a billionaire. His conviction was upheld in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in July 2006. [9], In 1983, in a coffee shop in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, he and 3 other investors formed Long Distance Discount Services, Inc. and in 1985, he was named chief executive officer. Court papers say a Bureau of Prisons official . Compassionate release can allow an inmate over the age of 60 to receive a reduction in sentence and release from prison. Brookhaven - Bernard "Bernie" J. Forbes, July 6, 1998. When WorldCom, the telecommunications giant, failed and was put into bankruptcy, the U.S. witnessed one of the largest accounting frauds in history. Dispatch From Pelahatchie (Grinch Edition), Domino's Says No Night Service to North Jackson, Clinton Catches Second Burglary Ring Suspect, "We Could Literally Hire 100 Technicians", The Rest of the Story, Part II (Annandale Edition), Justice Department Stands Up for Free Speech. Ebbers taught her Sunday school class at First Baptist Church Brookhaven. In July 2019, one of Ebbers' daughters submitted a request that her father receive compassionate release from a federal prison medical facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Even Barbara Jones, the federal judge who imposed Ebbers prison sentence, thought early release was appropriate. Ebbers was 78. "[9], After making this statement, Ebbers asserted his right against self-incrimination per the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Court papers say a Bureau of Prisons official . Bernie Ebbers August 27, 1941 - February 2, 2020. Former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers was convicted of conspiracy and fraud Tuesday. My family and I continue to pray for everyone affected by the fall of WorldCom. With his former company on the brink, Ebbers reportedly appeared on June 30, 2002, at the Easthaven Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Mississippi, where he attended services and taught Sunday school. Family: Thankful for final days before Ebbers death, 5 adults, 3 children injured in three-vehicle crash in Hinds County, Pearl Police arrest man after high speed chase through multiple cities, 3 illegal immigrants captured after escaping ICE vehicle in Mississippi, House amends bill to create Jackson water utility after speaking with third-party manager, American Car Center closes 40 locations, including Jackson, Request a First Alert Weather School Visit. I know it won't bring back any of the money lost but at least she will feel . Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Assuming credit for good conduct while incarcerated, Ebbers has an anticipated release date of approximately July 4, 2028. An injury before his senior season prevented him from playing his final year and he was instead assigned to coach the junior varsity team. He later moved to California and New Mexico, and then back to Canada, before obtaining a physical education degree in 1967 from Mississippi College, where the 6-foot-4 (1.93-meter) Ebbers had a basketball scholarship. He was released from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons on December 21, 2019. So So Sad to hear about the death of my long time friend Bernie Ebbers (May His soul Rest In Peace. March 15, 2005, 9:26 AM PST / Source: msnbc.com. Visitation, Services for Mrs. Donna Lynne Ratcliff Cupit is 11:00 am, Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Riverwood Family with visitation from, Mr. Tommy Gene Puckett, 68, of Magnolia, MS, died January 28, 2023, in McComb, MS. According to court papers, Ebbers had become legally blind, had fallen several times, was easily disoriented, and needed help to walk, eat and groom himself. He is survived by Linda Ebbers, daughters Ave Easley (David), Treasure Ebbers Beeson (Dwayne), Joy Ebbers Bourne, Faith . Ebbers has essentially served the life sentence that the sentencing court predicted it had imposed.. The case of Bernie Ebbers has shed further light on the increasingly criminal character of the practices of corporate America, which finds its concentrated political expression in the Bush . Text. Bernie never stopped teaching others about the Lord, leading his family, and spreading the love of Christ, no matter his circumstances. Federal prosecutors say 78-year-old former WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers may not be in as bad physical shape as indicated in court filings seeking his early release from prison due to health concerns. Brookhaven - Bernard "Bernie" J. Ebbers ran in to the arms of Jesus on February 2, 2020, surrounded by his family in Brookhaven, Miss. (Photo by Angela Jimenez/Getty Images). Bourne asked that letter writers not complain about the trial or the sentence, but focus only on bringing him home because of his age and poor health. We've narrowed down a timeframe, Medical marijuana in Mississippi is new and growing like a weed, Kermit Davis was SEC's top in-game coach for Ole Miss, peer says, Picayune upsets Provine 60-49 to advance to state title basketball game, MHSAA 5A boys Provine v. Picayune: Our best photos, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Rest in Peace, your rewards are yours for Eternity!!! He was a great Man. Judge Caproni will be soon deciding my fathers fate. So, ex-WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers died on Sunday at age 78. His father was a traveling salesman and a mechanic, and his mother was a homemaker. The chief financial officer was fired. As a high-profile member of the congregation, Ebbers regularly taught Sunday school and attended the morning church service with his family. JACKSON, Miss. RIP dear friend B E. Bernie Ebbers was a Man that i will always remember as a person that God could use in ways that only He was equipped to handle. Lehmans Richard Fuld ranked first. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Under Ebbers, WorldCom's $9 billion accounting fraud grew in order to avoid facing its worsening economic reality. With good behavior, he is scheduled for release in 2028. "Objective medical findings show that his age and medical condition qualify as extraordinary and compelling reasons for compassionate release," Carner wrote. Of far more importance, it is a reminder of the lessons learned relating to the board's role in assuring a corporate culture in which the internal legal function is respected, influential and . [8] In 1967, he received a Bachelor's degree in physical education, with an academic minor in secondary education, from Mississippi College. Collect, curate and comment on your files. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, February8, 2020, at First Baptist Church of Brookhaven, with visitationfrom 4-6 pm. His physical and mental conditions make it where he cannot function or provide self-care in prison, she said. He will always be remembered by me as a man that stood for what was right all the way to the end. My family and I are thankful for the time that we had to be with and care for Dad in his final days. The Securities Exchange Commission, meanwhile, focused on $400 million that WorldCom personally loaned Ebbers.WorldCom eventually filed for bankruptcy, and its stock price tumbled from $64 per share to a little over $1. Rest in Peace, your rewards are yours for Eternity!!! We ask that the familys privacy be respected at this time, and we covet your prayers. His faith was overt, and he often started corporate meetings with prayer. He was 78. Bernie Ebbers was sacrificed unjustly so politicos could grab a few headlines. Meanwhile the real bad guy who caused the loss of billions got a few months at an Air Force base. Bernard "Bernie" J. Ebbers ran in to the arms of Jesus on Feb. 2, 2020, surrounded by his family in Brookhaven. Bernie Ebbers is currently serving his prison sentence in Oakdale Federal Correctional Institution, a prison located in Louisiana. Bernie is preceded in death by his parents, Kathleen Mary and John Tony Ebbers . Disconnected: Deceit and Betrayal at WorldCom. 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