Gene Stipe says he is doing community service work

Wednesday, April 20th 2005, 4:47 pm

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- Former state Senator Gene Stipe says he spent a lot of time counting light poles for the city of McAlester and it should count as part of his court-ordered community service.

Stipe was ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service as part of his sentence for perjury and conspiracy convictions related to illegal contributions to a 1998 congressional campaign.

Stipe says it was his idea to perform community service for the city so he asked either then-Mayor Dale Covington or then-City Manager Randy Green for a project. He says he doesn't remember which one suggested counting light poles.

Probation Officer Kelly Garrett could not be reached for comment. Garrett has previously recommended that some of the 300 hours Stipe worked for the McAlester Economic Development Service not be counted as community service.

In addition to community service Stipe was fined nearly $750,000, given six months home detention and five years probation.