Edmondson Says He Plans to Keep $1,000
Contribution from Stipe
KOTV, November 02, 2006

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Attorney General Drew Edmondson says he won't return a one-thousand dollar campaign contribution from former state Senator and convicted felon Gene Stipe. See foot note about his family's political connections with Gene Stipe. [Ref N103]

Stipe is on probation for federal convictions related to illegal campaign contributions.

Edmondson says his office isn't investigating Stipe and he intends to keep the contribution unless or until Stipe is investigated by the attorney general's office.

Edmondson says he did return money donated by Vyrl Keeter when Keeter was under investigation. Keeter later pleaded guilty to lying to a state Grand Jury.

Republican attorney general candidate James Dunn says it's "offensive" Edmondson is taking money from "convicted, corrupt politicians."

Edmondson criticizes Dunn for taking 32-thousand dollars from donors connected to Arkansas poultry companies Edmondson is suing over pollution in the Illinois River.

Dunn says there's no conflict of interest in taking those donations because he'll dismiss the lawsuit if elected.

The following April

Owl: The Attorney Grandstander had a sudden change of heart the following April, when learning the FBI was investigating Stipe's donations, an authority beyond his influence. Yet it seems the AG did violate unethical boundaries trying to manuver his way into the FBI's investigation. Then other cases of the AG's campaign ethics started popping up.