Former MCI boss dies

John Sidgmore, the former MCI chief executive who led the company into its bankruptcy process, died this week at age 52.

Sidgmore, who joined the company in 1996 when MCI -- then called WorldCom Inc. -- acquired Sidgmore's UUNet, became chairman and chief executive officer when Bernard Ebbers resigned last year.

Sidgmore helped unravel the accounting improprieties that had led the company to overstate its profits, but left MCI himself later in 2002, to be succeeded by Michael Capellas.

MCI officials issued a statement praising Sidgmore's vision.

"We are deeply saddened by John Sidgmore's passing," the statement reads. "He was a true Internet visionary, leader and friend who had an uncanny ability of bringing joy into people's lives."