His 401(k) plan, which was loaded with WorldCom shares, has lost more than $300,000.

The Nasdaq market - where WorldCom shares trade - ended down 3.65 percent, its biggest daily decline in two months.

Just more than 1.5 billion WorldCom shares changed hands yesterday.

Investors bought WorldCom shares, pushing its stock price higher.

"He was clearly a leading proponent of WorldCom shares, almost to the bitter end, despite abundant signs of trouble."

Almost 1.5 billion WorldCom shares changed hands yesterday, to close down 77 cents, to 6 cents.

Anyone who bought WorldCom shares at the top of the market in 1999, when they were worth more than $60, must be seething.

Mr. Sturm and related entities held 21.4 million WorldCom shares.

EVEN those efforts could not keep WorldCom shares from dropping.

On May 3, 2002, Salomon sold the WorldCom shares backing the loan, taking a loss of $1.7 million.