McMahan-Phipps Trip Companions Identified

The Oklahoman reports today that some of those involved in the federal investigation into alleged public corruption in southeastern Oklahoma took out-of-state trips with Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan and embattled abstract company owner Steve Phipps.

Taking a trip to New Orleans in 2003 with McMahan and Phipps and their wives, the newspaper's Tony Thornton and Nolan Clay reported, was Karla Hall, chairman and executive director of Rural Development Foundation; the FBI alleges that state money was directed to RDF to benefit Phipps and his business partner, former Senator Gene Stipe.

Taking a trip to Biloxi, Mississippi were Roy Hatridge and Suzie Carper of National Pet Products, the McAlester dog food company that is part of the federal investigation.

Some of those involved in the Phipps-Stipes enterprises have been revealed as straw donors to multiple political campaigns, including McMahan's.

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