Criminal libel complaint by former state senator Gene Stipe denied

MCALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ Former State Sen. Gene Stipe's request for a criminal libel charge against the operator of an Internet site known as McAlester Watercooler has been denied. <br/><br/>Stipe had

Thursday, September 8th 2005, 10:42 am

By: News On 6

MCALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ Former State Sen. Gene Stipe's request for a criminal libel charge against the operator of an Internet site known as McAlester Watercooler has been denied.

Stipe had filed the complaint with city police last month. He said things posted on the Web site about him were untrue.

Pittsburg County District Attorney Chris Wilson made the decision not to prosecute after reviewing evidence and Oklahoma's criminal slander law.

``It's my opinion that the communications that were submitted to me do not violate the criminal statutes,'' Wilson said, referring to items which had been posted on the site and presented as evidence.