Francis Stipe Faces January Trial

His politician brother might be the bull's-eye of a federal investigation into Little Dixie corruption, but McAlester businessman Francis Stipe faces the same charges as his older sibling and will go to trial first. Stipe, 76, pleaded not guilty Friday before U.S. Magistrate Steven Shreder to conspiracy, mail fraud, tampering with a witness and engaging in an illegal monetary transaction. A trial date was set for Jan. 7. The maximum punishment on all four counts is 45 years in prison; the maximum fine would be $1 million. Stipe was allowed to leave court after posting an unsecured bond for $20,000, but he must not leave the state. He also must report to the U.S. Probation Office on Monday. Read all of the Tulsa World story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/.

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