[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MCI/WORLDCOM

  Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I rise today to express my grave concerns 
about the actions of MCI/Worldcom. MCI committed fraud on a scale that 
is offensive. It deceived everyone--its employees and retirees, its 
shareholders and State and Federal officials. The SEC took a step in 
the right direction by punishing this company with the largest fine in 
corporate history.
  But I fear the rest of the Federal Government may not be following 
the lead of the SEC. For example, I understand that MCI has been given 
a contract, valued between $23 to $35 million, to build advanced 
wireless networks in Iraq. The Federal Government should not be 
rewarding bad actors with precious government contracts.
  Other press reports indicate MCI is also using the Tax Code to reap 
benefits that should not be available to companies that have committed 
such egregious fraud. I urge the Senate Finance Committee to 
investigate these allegations as soon as possible.

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