A story of seven tainted races

During his third day of testimony in the criminal trial of state Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan, Phipps said Henry was among seven political candidates — all Democrats — for whom he infused illegal cash. He said this was done mainly through "straw donors,” or people who gave under their own names but with Phipps' money.

However, Phipps admitted that not all of those candidates were aware of his actions.

The other races: Mike Mass' unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2002; Dan Boren's 2004 congressional race; John Edwards' 2004 presidential bid; McMahan's 2002 race; several of state Auditor and Inspector Clifton Scott's races, ending in 1998; and Jerry Hefner's 2006 race for Muskogee County commissioner after Hefner left the House of Representatives.

"I really don't know what to think of it,” Scott said when told of Phipps' testimony. "I knew he had fundraisers for us; they never were what I thought were large amounts. If there were straw donors, I wasn't aware of it.”

Asked if he recalled Phipps asking him for favors, Scott said: "I don't know what he's talking about. I can't recall any.”