Former State Senator Gene Stipe completes first phase of sentence

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- Former state Senator Gene Stipe has completed the first phase of his sentence for his role in illegally funneling money to a congressional campaign.<br/><br/>Stipe's six months

Thursday, August 5th 2004, 1:05 pm

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- Former state Senator Gene Stipe has completed the first phase of his sentence for his role in illegally funneling money to a congressional campaign.

Stipe's six months of home detention has expired. He will remain on probation until January 2009.

Stipe pleaded guilty in April 2003 to felony conspiracy and perjury charges and to a misdemeanor conspiracy charge.

He was also fined more than $735,000 and ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service work.

Stipe admitted funneling more than $245,000 into the failed 1998 congressional campaign of Walt Roberts, then trying to cover it up.