Businessman Francis Stipe Dies

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A family friend confirms businessman Francis Stipe, brother of former state senator, Gene Stipe has died. He was 77.

Eddie Harper, a family friend and senior partner in the Stipe Law Firm, said Francis Stipe died Monday after being rushed to a hospital.

He pleaded guilty in April to a four-count indictment involving a conspiracy aimed at gaining several hundred thousand dollars in taxpayer money for a McAlester dog food plant.