Gene Stipe denied retirement benefits

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Retired Oklahoma County Judge Leamon Freeman has denied former state Senator Gene Stipe $65,000 in retirement benefits he wanted reinstated.<br><br>Last month, the Oklahoma Public

Thursday, April 15th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Retired Oklahoma County Judge Leamon Freeman has denied former state Senator Gene Stipe $65,000 in retirement benefits he wanted reinstated.

Last month, the Oklahoma Public Employees Association reduced Stipe's pension from $7,000 a month to about $1,600 a month.

The reduction was tied to his conviction of federal campaign law violations.

Stipe pleaded guilty a year ago to making illegal contributions to Walt Roberts' failed 1998 congressional campaign. He was sentenced to six months' home detention in January.

Hearing examiner Leamon Freeman said today that Stipe's criminal conduct was a violation of his oaths.

Freeman says Stipe used the influence gained from his position to mastermind the illegal campaign donation conspiracy. Freeman says at least 39 straw contributors violated the law on Stipe's behalf.

Freeman's ruling now goes to the board of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.