Myers is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec 26 on the three counts, which could carry a maximum combined sentence of 15-20 years, although lawyers said he is likely to receive a lighter sentence in return for providing evidence to prosecutors about other former top WorldCom leaders' involvement in the fraud.

Asked by US Judge Richard Conway Casey whether he knew his conduct at WorldCom had been wrong, Myers said: "Yes I did."

Myers told the courtroom: "I was instructed by senior management to make entries in WorldCom's books to increase WorldCom's reported earnings for which I knew there was no justification."

Myers' attorney Richard Janis later described his client to reporters as "... a reluctant participant in the events that have led us here today."

"Although he acted at the direction of others, and although he expressed his discomfort and displeasure at the actions being undertaken at WorldCom, he recognizes that as a corporate officer those facts do not relieve him of his own responsibility in this matter," Janis claimed.

"He never tried to shirk that responsibility and he has been forthright with the conpany's internal auditors, as well as the government investigators," according to Janis.

According to US federal court documents filed late last month, Myers lawyers indicated he was likely to cooperate with government prosecutors in their criminal case against other former WorldCom executives, including former chief financial officer Scott Sullivan.

Sullivan, who has been arraigned on multiple counts of fraud which could carry a sentence of up to 25 years, entered a plea of not guilty on Sept 4.

Last month, Myers agreed to waive his right to indictment by a grand jury in order to plead guilty to the government's fraud charges against him related to his time as WorldCom's controller, according to the documents.

Myers' lawyers agreed to this process through a so-called "notice of intent to file an information."

Former government prosecutors said this typically occurs when a defendant has agreed to cooperate with the government in the expectation that government prosecutors will seek a lighter prison sentence for the defendant.

leslie.wines@afxnews.com

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