Bernard Ebbers was a Canadian businessman best known as the CEO of WorldCom, a telecommunications company that became one of the largest in the United States during the 1990s. Under his leadership, WorldCom grew rapidly through a series of acquisitions, making it a major player in the industry. However, in 2002, the company was involved in one of the largest accounting scandals in U.S. history, leading to its bankruptcy. Ebbers was later convicted of fraud and conspiracy, receiving a 25-year prison sentence. His case highlighted significant issues in corporate governance and accounting practices.