OKLAHOMA CITY ? The state of Oklahoma agreed to settle its criminal fraud case against MCI, saying the company had taken “significant steps” to reform.

Under terms of the agreement announced Friday, the company formerly known as WorldCom would create 1,600 new jobs in Oklahoma during the next 10 years. The company also pledged to assist the state in its prosecution of former executives, said state Atty. Gen. Drew Edmondson.

“Since WorldCom’s collapse a new company has emerged from the rubble. It was never our intention to put the company out of business and MCI has taken significant steps to clean its own house,” Edmondson said.

“MCI has purged itself of bad actors, appointed new executives and an entirely new board of directors it has developed an extensive training program on business ethics,” he said.