AT&T EXEC ADMITS HE HAD INSIDE LINE

An AT&T executive and his son were among 17 people implicated in an insider trading scheme involving the company's then-secret plans to take over other firms. Authorities said the ring was masterminded by former company executive Charles Brumfield of New Jersey who pleaded guilty to parlaying knowledge of AT&T takeover plans to help friends and family net $2.6 million by purchasing stock at advantageously low prices before other investors were aware of the possible deals.