WorldCom's Ebbers seeks new trial

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former WorldCom chief Bernard Ebbers is asking for a new trial on federal charges he orchestrated an $11-billion accounting fraud that brought down the company.<br/><br/>Ebbers was convicted

Monday, April 18th 2005, 12:50 pm

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former WorldCom chief Bernard Ebbers is asking for a new trial on federal charges he orchestrated an $11-billion accounting fraud that brought down the company.

Ebbers was convicted last month and faces up to 85 years in prison. His lawyers filed papers saying the judge should have granted immunity to three former WorldCom executives to testify in Ebbers' defense.

Ebbers is also charged with fraud in Oklahoma, but state Attorney General Drew Edmondson delayed prosecution pending the outcome of the federal trial.

Edmondson has said if he's satisfied with the federal sentencing he'll consider dropping the state charges, or working out a plea deal with Ebbers.

Ebbers and Edmondson have signed an agreement to delay the state charges against him until 30 days after his federal sentencing that is scheduled for June.