Adelphia sues accounting firm

PHILADELPHIA -- Adelphia Communications sued its former accountants Wednesday, accusing them of failing to report "self-dealing and financial chicanery" by founder John J. Rigas and his family.

The lawsuit accused Deloitte & Touche of professional negligence and breach of its contract with Adelphia.

"These wrongful acts resulted in billions of dollars in damages to the company -- damages which were preventable if Deloitte had acted consistently with its professional responsibilities as Adelphia's outside auditor," the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for resulting injury to the company and damages.