Government spent $292,000 in Gene Stipe election investigation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A government investigation that forced former state Sen. Gene Stipe to resign from office cost an estimated $292,000.<br/><br/>The Federal Election Commission levied $569,500 in fines

Tuesday, August 9th 2005, 6:19 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A government investigation that forced former state Sen. Gene Stipe to resign from office cost an estimated $292,000.

The Federal Election Commission levied $569,500 in fines against Stipe, his former law firm and eight others following an investigation into Democrat Walt Roberts' failed 1998 congressional campaign.

The Oklahoma reports from its Washington bureau that the investigation that led to a criminal probe required an estimated 6,700 hours of commission staff time.

The FEC says nearly $275,000 was spent on staff time on two cases related to the Roberts campaign. Another $14,000 was spent on miscellaneous costs such as deposition transcripts and witness fees. About $3,700 was spent on travel.