Closing In On Gene Stipe
There can be little if any doubt left that the feds are closing in on former Oklahoma Senator Gene Stipe.
In a Tulsa Word report dated today and titled, “Estranged associate could receive immunity for testifying against Stipe“, U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling was reported as confirming an immunity deal for former Stipe business partner Steven Phipps.
Among the conditions upon which an immunity deal would hinge, Sperling pointed out the requirement for Phipps’ “full cooperation at Stipe’s revocation hearing Aug. 28″.
The U.S. Attorney’s office is attempting to secure the revocation of Stipe’s probation on felony convictions of the Federal Election Campaign Act. Having Phipps testify against his alleged co-conspirator in new violations of the same act will go a long way towards putting Stipe into federal prison, while permitting Phipps ‘to walk’ on the same charges.
Phipps is not ‘home free’ however as he has already entered a guilty plea to mail fraud charges and will likely serve some prison time as a result. However, by cutting a deal with the feds, who appear a lot more intent on putting Stipe away, Phipps can expect a lighter sentence on the mail fraud charges and of course no charges regarding violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Of course, Gene Stipe is still Gene Stipe.
Granted he is a lot older, in poor health, frail and more vulnerable than at any time during his 50-plus years in the Oklahoma Legislature but he still knows the most of ‘the tricks of the trade’ from having been not only the most powerful legislator in the state but also one of the most successful trial lawyers.
Don’t expect him to go down easily.
But do expect him to go down, at long last…
