Attorney says Gene Stipe needs more surgery

Tuesday, December 2nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- An attorney for former state Senator Gene Stipe says Stipe needs more surgery before he can travel to Washington, DC, for sentencing for federal campaign finance violations.

Stipe's sentencing scheduled for Tuesday was delayed until January 30th, the sixth time the sentencing has been delayed. Five of the previous delays were due to medical reasons.

Attorney Jack Vardaman told federal Judge James Robertson in Washington that Stipe has a condition (hydrocephalus) that causes excess fluid inside the brain. Vardaman says the condition causes Stipe to lose his balance, some of his memory and leaves him disoriented.

Stipe resigned from the Senate in March and pleaded guilty in April to funneling money to the unsuccessful congressional campaign of Walt Roberts.