Adelphia Communications Corporation was an American cable television company with headquarters in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.

It was founded in 1952 by brothers Gus and John Rigas after the pair purchased a cable television franchise for US$300.

Combining various cable properties, the company became one of the most successful in the United States and reached over two million subscribers in 1998.

In addition to cable television, Adelphia later started providing high-speed internet, phone services and voice messaging for businesses.

An investigation was launched and later revealed that some members of the Rigas family used $2.3 billion to illegitimately purchase personal luxuries.

Adelphia Communications Corporation was founded in 1952 by brothers John and Gus Rigas; they purchased a cable television franchise based in Coudersport, Pennsylvania for US$300.

After 20 years in the business, Rigas incorporated the company under the name "Adelphia" which in the Greek language means "brothers".

In the upcoming years, the Rigas family combined various cable properties under the company name and made it public.

In 1989, the company established Adelphia Media Services which would allow commercial opportunities on local, regional and national levels.

[5] The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) described the scandal as, "one of the most extensive financial frauds ever to take place at a public company.

Federal prosecutors proved that the Rigases used complicated cash-management systems to spread money around to various family-owned entities and as a cover for stealing $100 million for themselves.

Rigas was diagnosed with cancer prior to his conviction and, under his sentencing, could seek compassionate release if he had less than three months to live.

[8] The New York Times noted that this differed considerably from other accounting scandals like Enron and Worldcom, saying "For the one trait that distinguishes the Rigases from virtually every other culprit on Wall Street is that they didn't sell their stock.