External resource

SEC first amended complaint against WorldCom

The SEC's complaint describing WorldCom's acknowledged income overstatement and alleged reserve releases and capitalization of line costs.

Authority and currency

About this authority

Publisher
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Standing
Primary authority
Version
First amended complaint
Relevant parts
Paragraphs 1-3 and 18-19; line costs, reserve releases, capitalization, and controls
Currency
current · checked Aug 7, 2026

Open the primary source

The filing gives a clean teaching contrast: a current-period operating cost was moved to an asset account, changing both the income statement and balance sheet before later depreciation. The case asks learners to explain that multi-period effect and the missing support, not merely recognize the company name.