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Obama politics may curb trials in Oklahoma
BY TONY THORNTON
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Published: November 9, 2008
Oklahoman
Barack Obama’s election as president could benefit the remaining targets of a three-year FBI investigation of political corruption in Oklahoma.
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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 Oklahoma’s eastern federal district.
Because all of those prosecuted so far have been Democrats, some observers think the investigation could end once Obama names a replacement for Sperling.
"I’d be shocked if it continued,” said defense attorney Rand C. Eddy, who is representing former state Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan.
"A huge part of this case is politically motivated. Plus, look at the results of two out of the three trials,” Eddy said.
At the April trial of McAlester businessman Francis Stipe, jurors deliberated 20 hours and appeared to be deadlocked.
In the end, Stipe agreed to plead guilty in return for a sentence that included no prison time.
Last month’s trial of former legislator Randall Erwin ended in a hung jury. A retrial is scheduled for February.
McMahan and his wife have been the only targets convicted at trial.
Do politics creep in?
Sperling declined to comment for this story.
His predecessor, however, said politics should play no part in the prosecution decision.
"I would be troubled and concerned and frankly surprised if they were not continued on with vigor and prosecuted to the maximum,” former U.
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