Bubbaworld

Francis Stipe, 77, younger brother of former Oklahoma Senator Gene Stipe, has joined his “big brother” as a convicted felon, albeit one with yet another sweetheart deal for a fellow named Stipe.

Last Thursday, Francis Stipe pleaded guilty in federal court in Muskogee, Oklahoma to charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, witness-tampering and engaging in an illegal monetary transaction.

Stipe’s guilty pleas came as the jury deliberating his fate was in its fourth day of deliberations and appeared deadlocked.

Rather than risk a mistrial and another trial Stipe took the deal behind “door number 1″ and in exchange for his guilty plea will be sentenced to three years of probation, six months of home detention and will be required to pay a $500,000 fine. Pretty much the same deal that “big brother” received on his federal conviction for campaign contribution violations.

Gene Stipe has been indicted on the same charges to which his brother Francis copped a plea, however Gene Stipe’s trial has been delayed after mental competency issues arose during hearings in which the federal government sought to revoke his probation on his previous convictions.

As part of the plea deal should Gene Stipe ever face a trial on the charges, Francis Stipe will not have to testify against his brother.

Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma tried to paint the deal with Francis Stipe as a “win” for the government, but alas it is just another “good deal for another good old boy”, something we see far too much of in Oklahoma.

Thing like that seem to happen a lot for good old boys named Stipe…

Here’s the U.S. Attorney’s press release on Stipe’s sweetheart plea deal.