Take A Minute To Study This Graphic

The Oklahoman has posted a graphic showing links to those involved in the Steve Phipps/Jeff McMahan/Gene Stipe/Mike Mass/Richard Lerblance/Tim Arbaugh/Randall Erwin/Jerry Hefner/Randy Dittman/Larry Witt campaign finance scandal. Take a moment to view this insightful graphic at http://static.newsok.biz/flash/stipe/stipe.html.

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Dittman Resigns From Abstractors Board

Tulsa abstractor Randy Dittmann said Monday he will step down as a member and chairman of the Oklahoma Abstractors Board.

The announcement comes amid allegations that Dittmann, a registered Republican, made illegal campaign contributions to Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan, a Democrat. Those allegations are among many contained in federal court documents in the McMahan case.

Dittmann, president of Buffalo Land Abstract Co., said the statements against him in an application for a search warrant of McMahan’s Tecumseh home are “grossly inaccurate.

“Because I do not want the board to be hampered or distracted by the loose allegations that have been tossed out, I am stepping down,” he said.

The search resulted in McMahan and his wife Lori, being indicted for conspiracy, mail fraud and bribery in connection with accepting more than $140,000 from Kiowa businessman Steven Phipps, who once owed several abstracting businesses with former Senator Gene Stipe, a McAlester Democrat, in exchange for favorable treatment.

The Legislature removed the auditor’s office from regulation over the abstracting industry when the allegations against McMahan surfaced last year. In its place, the Oklahoma Abstractors Board was formed to give the industry an independent look.

Dittman was appointed to the board by Governor Brad Henry.

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Dittman Accused In McMahan Scandal

The chairman of the new Oklahoma Abstractors Board, formed to take oversight of the abstract industry following questions about Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan, is accused of making illegal campaign donations to McMahan.

The accusations naming Randy Dittman of Tulsa are found in federal court records that were unsealed Friday in Muskogee federal court when McMahan and his wife, Lori, appeared to answer allegations in the 9-count indictment against them.

The records also show that abstract company owner Larry Witt is accused of organizing illegal contributions for McMahan's campaign. Witt was a partner in the abstract business with former State Senator Gene Stipe and Steve Phipps.

The Oklahoman's Tony Thornton details the allegations today.

An FBI affidavit, Thornton reports, alleges McMahan turned to Dittman for campaign financing in 2006 after his main money source four years earlier, abstract company owner Phipps, came under investigation. The affidavit includes transcripts of taped conversations between Phipps and Lori McMahan.

Dittman, 51, is no stranger to those who examine campaign finance reports for state officials. Ethics Commission records show he gave McMahan $1,000 in his own name in 2002 and $1,200 in 2003. In 2006, he gave $5,000 to McMahan and Governor Brad Henry, $3,500 to Lt. Governor Jari Askins and $2,000 to Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland. He also donated to legislative candidates and gave $2,200 to Republican Fred Morgan's campaign for Congress, other records show.

Dittman was named to the abstract oversight board by Henry on the recommendation of the Oklahoma Land Title Association and by State Reps. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa and Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, Thornton reports.

Governor Henry's appointees to the board include Gary Ellis of Bartlesville, Matthew B. Hargis of Oklahoma City, and Dittman. Appointees of the Oklahoma Mortgage Broker Association are Gene Seiter of Edmond, and Aubrey Roberts of Oklahoma City.

Henry earlier had appointed Dittman to the Mortgage Broker Advisory Committee of the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit.

Read Thornton's entire account at http://www.newsok.com/.

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