Gene Stipe

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Gene Stipe

Gene Stipe archived Coverage

Oklahoma auditor campaign turns ugly Updated: Mon, Oct 25, 2010 | Comment on this article Leave a comment The political race for state auditor has turned ugly with the incumbent Auditor Steve Burrage broadcasting political ads accusing Republican challenger Gary Jones of "repeated failure to pay taxes." Read More
Gene Stipe, government settle civil lawsuit Updated: Fri, May 7, 2010 | Comment on this article Leave a comment MUSKOGEE — The government’s civil case against former state Sen. Gene Stipe, 83, for selling title insurance as a convicted felon has been settled for $100,000. The government filed a civil complaint against the McAlester Democrat in August 2008 alleging that Stipe had legal liability for engaging in the... Read More
Case against former Oklahoma Senator Gene Stipe settled Published: Thu, May 6, 2010 | Comment on this article Leave a comment MUSKOGEE — The government’s civil case against former state Sen. Gene Stipe, 83, for selling title insurance as a convicted felon has been settled for $100,000. The government filed a civil complaint against the McAlester Democrat in August 2008 alleging that Stipe had legal liability for engaging in the... Read More
Oklahoma candidate sues 2-time opponent Updated: Wed, Nov 25, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment GUTHRIE — Saying he was cheated twice from winning a statewide election, Gary Jones wants the man who beat him both times, along with his key backers who include a former longtime state senator, to pay. Jones, chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, said Democrat Jeff McMahan conspired with others to raise... Read More
Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones sues over lost elections Updated: Tue, Nov 24, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones has filed a lawsuit that claims he was cheated out of election as state auditor and inspector in 2002 and 2006. Jones filed the lawsuit Monday in Logan County. It asks for unspecified damages from former Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan and... Read More
State Briefs: Stipe nephew faces charge Updated: Fri, Sep 4, 2009 McALESTER Stipe nephew faces charge The nephew of former state Sen. Gene Stipe has been charged with assault for allegedly punching the operator of a McAlester Web site that was frequently critical of the longtime senator and his late brother, Francis Stipe. A special prosecutor filed the misdemeanor charge Thursday... Read More
Former Oklahoma legislator, cohort get prison for kickbacks Updated: Thu, May 28, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment MUSKOGEE — Mike Mass, once an influential state representative and a past chairman of the state Democratic Party, became Wednesday the latest crooked Oklahoma politician to be sentenced to prison. A judge ordered Mass to spend two years in federal prison for taking kickbacks to divert taxpayer money to a... Read More
Steve Phipps, Mike Mass sentenced Updated: Wed, May 27, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment TULSA (AP) — A federal judge in Muskogee today sentenced Kiowa businessman Steve Phipps to one year and one day in prison for a kickback scheme involving three state lawmakers. Phipps admitted paying the legislators for sending taxpayer money to his companies. Phipps was a key witness in federal cases... Read More
Federal prosecutors seek leniency in corruption sentencing of Oklahoma businessman Updated: Thu, May 21, 2009 MUSKOGEE — Federal prosecutors Wednesday asked for leniency for a businessman who paid kickbacks to legislators, saying he broke a "code of silence” and gave extraordinary help to a political corruption investigation. Steve Phipps of Kiowa is to be sentenced next week by U.S. District Judge Ronald... Read More
Gene Stipe seeks injunction to stop cash transfers Published: Fri, May 8, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment McALESTER — An attorney representing former state Sen. Gene Stipe of McAlester wants a judge to prohibit Stipe's estranged business partner from transferring money and property which the attorney contends belongs to Stipe. This week's filing is the most recent in a lawsuit filed by McAlester attorney Eddie... Read More
Oklahoma Legislature Briefs: Gene Stipe fights for assets Updated: Thu, May 7, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment Stipe fights for assets An attorney representing former state Sen. Gene Stipe of McAlester wants a judge to prohibit Stipe’s estranged business partner from transferring money and property that the attorney contends belong to Stipe. Those are the latest filings in the lawsuit filed by McAlester attorney Eddie... Read More
Former Rep. Randall Erwin acquitted of corruption charges Updated: Fri, Apr 24, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment MUSKOGEE — Closing arguments are set to begin this afternoon in the federal corruption trial of former state Rep. Randall Erwin. Erwin faces seven felony counts, including conspiracy, money laundering and failure to provide honest public services. A federal court jury was unable to reach a verdict on those... Read More
Bill targets pensions of convicted Oklahoma officials Updated: Tue, Feb 24, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment A House committee passed a bill Monday that would require elected or appointed officials found guilty of a felony to lose state pension benefits. The forfeiture would occur regardless whether the felony violated the official’s oath of office or occurred while still in office, said Rep. Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle.... Read More
2008 produced quotes worth remembering in Oklahoma Updated: Thu, Jan 1, 2009 | Comment on this article Leave a comment Some things said in 2008 in Oklahoma bear repeating. Here are a few of them: “I have Stipes coming out of my ears, and I can't seem to get any of them to trial.” U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White about delays in trials for former state Sen. Gene Stipe and his brother, Francis... Read More
Gene Stipe's guardian sues over business affairs Updated: Tue, Dec 2, 2008 | Comment on this article Leave a comment McALESTER (AP) - Gene Stipe's guardian and former law partner has sued the former state senator's business associate for taking control of Stipe's oil and gas property revenues and allegedly mishandling Stipe's business affairs. Eddie Harper's lawsuit, filed in Pittsburg County District Court, lists as... Read More
Judge tosses former Oklahoma state Sen. Gene Stipe petition Updated: Sat, Nov 22, 2008 McALESTER — The judge calls it "rough justice.” U.S. District Judge Ron White at the Eastern District of Oklahoma federal courthouse in Muskogee has dismissed a petition by federal prosecutors seeking to revoke former state Sen. Gene Stipe’s probation. In his order dismissing the case, White... Read More
Order closes Gene Stipe case Published: Fri, Nov 21, 2008 | Comment on this article Leave a comment MUSKOGEE -- A federal judge has decided to dismiss a petition seeking to revoke probation for former state Sen. Gene Stipe, effectively closing the case. If Stipe hadn't been found mentally incompetent to assist in his defense last month, a violation of his probation would likely have been found because his... Read More
Obama politics may curb trials in Oklahoma Updated: Sat, Nov 8, 2008 Barack Obama’s election as president could benefit the remaining targets of a three-year FBI investigation of political corruption in Oklahoma. Here’s why: Obama likely will appoint a new U.S. attorney — presumably one who’s a Democrat — to replace Bush appointee Sheldon Sperling in... Read More
Gene Stipe won’t be tried, for now Updated: Wed, Oct 29, 2008 | Comment on this article Leave a comment MUSKOGEE — A probation revocation case for Gene Stipe is on indefinite hold, as is a new criminal indictment, after a federal judge ruled Tuesday that the former state senator remains mentally incompetent to stand trial. It was the second time U.S. District Judge Ronald White found Stipe is unable to assist... Read More
Former Oklahoma Senator Gene Stipe found incompetent Updated: Tue, Oct 28, 2008 | Comment on this article Leave a comment MUSKOGEE -- The issue of former state Sen. Gene Stipe's mental competence took a back seat Tuesday morning to a testy courtroom exchange between a federal judge and the prosecutor who wants to see Stipe's probation revoked. U.S. District Judge Ronald White lashed into U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling even before... Read More

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Gene Stipe trial in Muskogee

Oct 27The Oklahoman's Tony Thornton gives us an idea of what...

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Nov 21Gene Stipe appeal; OU marching band; Downtown in...

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Angi Bruss-Nov. 6 Headlines

Nov 6Stipe back to hospital; A&M Coach's future uncertain;...

Gene Stipe Timeline

1926 -- Born Oct. 21, 1926, in the Pittsburg County community of Blanco, to miner and farm worker Jacob Irvin Stipe and Eva Lou Stipe.

1940s -- Commissioned a Navy ensign in Jackson, Miss.

1948 -- Elected at age 21 to state House of Representatives.

1949 -- Earned law degree from the University of Oklahoma.

1949 -- Married Agnes L. Minton on Feb. 3.

1949-54 --Member of Oklahoma House of Representatives.

1949-53 -- House assistant floor leader.

1954 -- Loses bid for state Senate seat.

1956 -- Elected to Senate in special election.

1957 -- Takes office, remaining in post until Tuesday.

1968 -- Indicted by a federal grand jury in Muskogee, accused of evading taxes on $110,000 income in 1961-62, later acquitted.

1975 -- Hired by William Con Sutherland for $100,000 retainer and $100-per-hour fee during the bankruptcy collapse of Sutherland s vending machine empire. Bankruptcy trustees claimed his retainer was taken from illegally diverted assets. Stipe settled out of court, repaying $60,000.

1978 -- Fails in short-lived campaign for U.S. Senate seat.

1979 -- Indicted for a second time after an FBI probe into his role in the 1974 financial collapse of McAlester Frozen Foods, a food- processing company. The U.S. Small Business Administration loaned the money to McAlester Frozen Foods, unaware that the food-processing equipment was already mortgaged with another bank loan.

1980 -- Indicted on conspiracy, fraud and extortion charges after being accused of participating in a plan to use his influence with the governor s office regarding a case against a Colorado man facing extradition.

1981 -- Acquitted of charges in the Small Business Administration loan case.

May 1983 -- Neonatal beds at Children s Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma City remain open after Stipe brings scheduled closure issue to the forefront.

Nov. 20, 1992 -- Admitted as patient to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

July 26, 2000 -- Donates $1 million to help put a dome on the state Capitol.

February 2000 -- Showing support for labor, Stipe tells Oklahomans who supported right to work they should move to Arkansas.

2003 -- Involved in another FBI probe, this time in connection with illegal campaign contributions for Walt Robert s failed 1998 campaign in the 3rd Congressional District.

March 11 -- Resigns from state Senate after a half-century legislative career.