McAlester Watercooler PERHAPS the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason. Thomas Paine - Introduction to Common Sense Rat Mail  TV Listings  NewsCapital  Yellow Pages  Mail  Docs New Watercooler Portal via Google
Opinion 3819
	Opinion submitted by Hal on 2007-05-28 14:10:13    (reads 765)
	The List Here is a list of names I've heard mentioned connected to the upcoming Federal investigations: (updated: Jan 26, 2008) Tim Arbaugh Auditor Office (fraud, straw donors) Ginger Barnes Gene Stipe assistant (fraud -- Idabel and HCFS) Mike Bailey former Asst. Chief Choctaw (fraud) Dan Boren US Congressman (straw donors) Greg Brown Bank NA President (banking irregularities) David Burrage Pres. First Antlers Bank (banking irregularities) Michael Burrage former Federal Judge (a Gene Stipe attorney) Sean Burrage State Senator (son of Michael) Steve Burrage Chair First Antlers Bank (banking irregularities) Alan Cherry companion/driver for Gene (community service scam) Brent Clark Floyd Law Firm (bond scams) Chris Clark former Roberts Treasurer (Federal witness, investigator) Dale Covington former Mcalester Mayor (National Pet deal and others) Steve Covington felon and Stipe partner (son of Dale -- Loan Plus) Chester Dennis director KEDDO (National Pet deal and others) Jim Dawson McAlester FBI (investigating corruption) Randy Dittman Abstracting board chairman (straw donors, abstracting) Dick Dudley McAlester Foundation (National Pet deal and others) Drew Edmondson Attorney General (straw donors, more?) Randall Erwin former State Rep. (fraud and corruption) Kaylyn Free former District Attorney (Stipe corruption -- Busby) John Freeman former Bank NA President (bank fraud) Warren Gotcher Attorney -- Stipe friend (suborning perjury -- FEC) Tommy Graham OSBI regional supervisor (friend of Stipe machine) Gary Graff McAlester FBI (investigating corruption) Randy Green former City Manager (Stipe protege -- more to come) Gay Guthrie Asst. US Attorney (corruption prosecutor) Don Hackler McAlester Foundation (attorney) Skip Hackler OK Dept of Commerce (attorney -- son of Don) Bruce Hall First National Bank (Foundation member) Karla Hall VP Bank NA and RDF (RDF corruption) Donald Hardin Consumer Credit Dept. (Loan Plus inquiry) Eddie Harper Stipe Law Firm (bond fees) Mike Hendley Stipe's Probation Officer (community service scam, etc.) Brad Henry Governor (straw donors, more?) Jerry Hefner former State Rep. (fraud and corruption) Mike Kern auditor Kern & Shores (a blind eye) Harold King Watercooler operator (target of legal actions) Bill Layden Assoc District Judge (McA Industrail Credit -- FEC) Mike Mass former State Rep. (fraud and corruption) JimBob Miller District Attorney (part of the machine) Jim Mills MEDS Director (community service scam, more) Matt McGowan officer Bank NA (son of Mike) Mike McGowan Chairman Bank NA (banking irregularities) Mike Morgan State Senator (straw donors, etc.) Roy Nelson First National Bank (witness tampering) Steve Phipps Stipe Partner (straw donors, etc.) Gregory Pyle Chief Choctaw Nation (fraud) Jeff McMahan Auditor and Inspector (straw donors) Greg Shores accountant Kern & Shores (Gene Stipe accountant) Charlene Spears former Stipe assistant (election fraud -- FEC) Sheldon Sperling US Attorney (Eastern District OK) Francis Stipe Brother of Gene (fraud, witness tampering ...) Gene Stipe former State Senator (Prince of Darkness) Kathy Taylor Tulsa Mayor/OK Dept Comm. (fraud -- Skip Hackler's boss) Ronald White Federal Judge - Eastern OK (Stipe cases) Larry Witt Abstracting Companies (straw donors, etc) List is not complete and will be edited and added to as needed.
	Comment submitted by Norma Rae on 2007-05-28 22:11:39
	When will legal proceedings start and what is the priority based on this list? These are heavy hitters, lots of money behind them. How about Gotcher, what will be the legal consequences? Same question applies to Eddie Harper, he has managed to stay under the radar so far. The bond money should be easy to trace...seems to be the area that will be far reaching and conclusive.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-05-29 00:50:46
	All good questions -- wish I had some detail answers. We will have to wait for the legal proceedings. My sources keep telling me that they believe that Gene Stipe's probation will be revoked and that he will get an initial prison time of from 6-12 months for that. Both Gene and Francis are expected to be indicted -- likely at the June 13th Grand Jury -- but that is NOT as yet finally determined. Same sources say if convicted on the expected indictments the Stipes will likely get convictions that insure they will die in prison. Likely several of the others listed will be witnesses -- their testimony getting them a deal. Which ones get deals and which are prosecuted has as yet to be determined -- investigation still in progress.
	Comment submitted by bonner on 2007-05-29 10:37:46
	HIP, HIP, HORAY,SEND HIS ASS AWAY.
	Comment submitted by bonner on 2007-05-29 10:39:56
	LOT OF NAMES THERE HAL,THIS COULD TAKE YEARS TO WORK OUT,THE SLOW WHEEL OF JUSTICES IS TO SLOW FOR ME.
	Comment submitted by Norma Rae on 2007-05-29 19:00:13
	You know not one word will be printed in the News Capital if ANY of these people are brought before the court. Good thing about your website, this is where most concerned citizens turn to if they want to see what is going on, many don't post but come here when the news hits. The Daily Oklahoman will publish the story so get ready to reprint, should be very interesting to see if the banks are investigated. I still think the bond money is the key for getting the ones who have managed to stay behind the scenes, especially the banks.
	Comment submitted by lts91lee on 2007-05-30 02:41:25
	Hal, I was concerned when you printed this list of names it might open up libel or slander suits against you. But then I got to thinking about all of the people that have been written about on the Cooler and no suits have surfaced so maybe what you are putting out is the truth and they can't win a libel or slander suit against somebody telling the truth Hmmmmm. If they did file a suit I would pay good money to sit in on the pre-trial deposition and listen to their sworn testimony while you and your lawyer asked them a lot of hard questions about their past activities. I think this bunch of GOB's would "wilt" under an 8 - 12 hour marathon of questions about all of their shady deals. It would almost be worth it to get to ask them some hard questions about their past and present deals. They know they can go to prison for lying in a deposition, just like lying in a courtroom. Hmmmmm any of you G.O.B.'s want to sue?
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-05-30 03:38:46
	Its more interesting than that.   Over the two years that the Watercooler has been attempting to provide some light on corruption in SE Oklahoma, there has been less than a handful of complaints and fewer corrections.   I doubt that the NewsCapital can say the same.   Wish I could say that we always got it right -- may not always be exactly right, but usually close enough that they can't complain.   If there are errors -- and there have been -- I try to correct them as soon as its reported. I would think that any real legal proceeding would require the Watercooler to be notified and asked for correction or response before proceeding with any legal action. This has never happened.
	Comment submitted by Ashley on 2007-05-30 22:49:16
	Even though many in McAlester do not realize it, there is such a thing as FREE Speech, that hasn't been eliminated yet. The Watercooler provides an avenue for discussion of events and personalities in our fair city. The local paper isn't about to print anything critical of the Stipes, MEDS and others who are making money off the trusting locals. The legal community needs to clean up their act and that ain't gonna happen in our lifetime. Anyone can sue, winning is the hard part. The Watercooler provides an avenue for discussion among those with firsthand knowledge.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-02 19:28:56
	List has been updated -- and will likely grow very long in the future.
	Comment submitted by Ashley on 2007-06-02 22:35:10
	Anyone surprised to see Carlton Bass's name on there AND, Bruce Hall?
	Comment submitted by Rymer on 2007-06-02 23:23:47
	Apparently not.
	Comment submitted by dink on 2007-06-03 01:05:03
	What 'legal community" do we have have in McAlester? Try posting a community bulletin board with the names submitted of all lawyers willing to state that they have not entered any dealings or been touched by the machine of darkness?
	Comment submitted by Mr. Busby on 2007-06-03 06:14:56
	Bruce Hall was not a Foundation Board member when the NPP deal went down.
	Comment submitted by Ashley on 2007-06-03 08:21:32
	When did Bruce hall become a member of the Foundation? How did he get on this list?
	Comment submitted by Norma Rae on 2007-06-03 08:30:40
	Dink: L.E.G.A.L. Community in McAlester? You must mean the group called Let Everyone Get A Laugh...no legality here and especially when it involves the all encompassing Stipe Machine. The true definition of legal is not alive here.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-03 08:50:22
	List doesn't say Bruce Hall was on the board at the initiation of the NPP deal. He was a member for awhile during the 'coverup' and has been around the deals. He is one that would be on the witness list. Name was mentioned.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-03 12:29:53
	dink I tried as you suggested -- didn't get any names. Not that their might not be some -- seems the 'innocent lawyers' (is that an oxymoron?) don't want to be seen.
	Comment submitted by barmas321 on 2007-06-03 20:44:00
	Does anyone if Mike Bailey's leaving of the Choctaw Nation, has anything to with the Grand Jury coming up. Do you think he and the Chief are facing any charges.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-03 20:50:43
	Yes, it does. But whether he has a problem or that others do and he is testifying against them is not clear at the moment.
	Comment submitted by tony on 2007-06-03 22:23:25
	Barmas- read the post named Choctaw Nation. Mr.Busby gets into some detail.
	Comment submitted by Ashley on 2007-06-04 00:10:12
	Too bad Wes Brown's name isn't on the list.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-04 02:06:10
	Who knows -- might just cycle back around there. Still investigating the City bonds.
	Comment submitted by Ashley on 2007-06-08 10:49:30
	The list of names you published irritated Matt.
	Comment submitted by Ashley on 2007-06-08 21:44:07
	Good question...any of those names to be added to the list? Perhaps in later court proceedings?
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-08 23:05:05
	The List are the names that have been mentioned by several different sources involved in the investigation. I do NOT have detail knowledge in all cases, only the area of question for the name is mentioned. The List is best described as 'people of interest' in the current investigation. M ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by bonner on 2007-06-09 07:19:51
	BOY THEY LIKE TO PLAY CARDS,,,,,,,
	Comment submitted by Burnt Toast on 2007-06-09 12:22:28
	Terribly disappointed to see that my name was omitted from the list...Imust not be too big a wheel around here.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-09 17:55:26
	Well, maybe your name is on the real FED list. My Federal sources tell me that there have been OVER two hundred people testify on various aspects of the cases -- and still more to come. Most names I'm either not aware of or are not local to SE Oklahoma. This is a VERY BIG investigation. ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by Mr. Busby on 2007-06-11 07:51:25
	This list is destroying the credibility of the Watercooler. The lack of posting over the weekend I think is directly related as I know I have a problem posting when this list appears to be made official looking, and then not so official after all. The terminology, " people of interest" is not ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by okieboy on 2007-06-11 08:01:33
	Burnt Toast have you testified in Muskogee recently? are you scheduled to be there this week?
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-11 09:20:49
	The lack of posting is due to the lack of relevant news and to the fact that I and others decided to take the weekend off because of it. The List is the entire point of the Watercooler -- to reveal possible corrupt activities and identify those either involved or knowledgable of it. It Stays ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2007-06-11 11:37:02
	Time will tell. Expected timeframe of activities: 1) June 13 -- Federal Grand Jury. It will include testimony relavent to the corruption investigation. Possibly some indictments -- obviously depending on the testimony and timing requests of the US Attorney. ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-26 11:46:06
	Last June this List caused controversy -- it was simply as stated a list of names and there possible connection to upcoming events. No accusations were intended - most will at most be witnesses or have some information. Some of these events are coming about now. Time will tell.
	Comment submitted by mr. busby on 2008-01-26 12:52:27
	I thought it was a b.s. list then and I think it is now. As it is posted by the moderator of the site, it becomes a political statement or position taken by this site, just like the Publishers opinion on the McAlester paper. I don't know what the objective is in posting this again, but I know I can ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-26 13:22:17
	Objective is to simpy identify the people that are know to be involved in the upcoming events. Some good guys and some bad. That is for the reader to decide -- why are you prejudging. Which ones are your 'good guys'??
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-26 15:21:07
	Mr. Busby said he no longer wanted to be associated with the Watercooler. Posts are still available -- just enter your username and password before doing a query by clicking on Opinion or Comment order.
	Comment submitted by Pete on 2008-01-26 15:39:46
	Is he mad at you, tired of posting, someone hurt his feelings?
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-26 16:23:05
	He doesn't like the List.
	Comment submitted by bubba on 2008-01-26 17:28:27
	So he picked up his marbles and went home? It figures.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-26 19:44:11
	Busby comments restored -- but no future postings expected.
	Comment submitted by redneck on 2008-01-27 09:26:33
	Hal, was he mad because his name is on the list? Or is he mad because the list is moved back to the top? I dont personally know MR. Busby but I like his posts as they are very informative. I think he needs to build a bridge and get over it.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-27 10:15:38
	AS I understand it, it is the concept of a list at all. His objections were before his name was on the list. The purpose of the List is to inform the casual reader of who might be being referred to in other posts -- and a very brief couple of words of in what area of why. I think somethin ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by mongoose on 2008-01-27 13:55:57
	Hal, I think you need to double check. I can't believe that was Mr. Busby. Someone had to have hi-jacked his computer.
	Comment submitted by stilly on 2008-01-27 14:05:37
	Mr. Busby, I urge you to continue posting on this site. Your posts are the most informative on the website and it would be a great loss to those of us that have no other reliable sources of information.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-27 15:33:35
	Maybe additional concerns in that Mr. Busby has been subponeaed for the Francis Stipe trial -- for the government.
	Comment submitted by tony on 2008-01-27 15:43:47
	At this time Mr. Busby is unable to post because he has been placed in the DOG House.
	Comment submitted by BULLET on 2008-01-27 18:17:09
	Now THAT is not a smart thing to do. In my opinion.
	Comment submitted by sideliner on 2008-01-27 20:08:34
	Sad actually...I thought Busby brought a lot of information and enthusiastic discussion to the table. I saw nothing flaming in the list or bumping it back to the top. If he wants to sack up his bats and go home, more power to him and I'll hold the gate open.
	Comment submitted by mongoose on 2008-01-27 20:24:11
	Ohh....I see. More power to you Mr. Busby. Those of us who love you will be praying on your behalf. We'll also pray for those who hate you and may they finally see the light. When you go to court drop all the bombs you including the X-bomb. B...O...O...M.
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-27 20:47:55
	Mr. Busby is NOT in the DogHouse ... if he was you would not see his posts.
	Comment submitted by nothinbutthetruth on 2008-01-28 02:38:21
	I too liked Mr. Busby's posts very much but I also like the list. It helps those of us that aren't long term residents of McAlester to understand better what is going on now and what has gone on in the past. The list doesn't make my mind up or influence me in any way. It merely gives me more infor ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by okieboy on 2008-01-28 06:58:10
	Mr. Busby the F.B.I. Has a list also and i bet it contains this same names and probably even more, i suppose you don't want to be a part of that either? the G.O.B.'s have their list guess you didn't want to be a part of their list anymore either, we all know you don't like the list but let's be real ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by se_okie on 2008-01-28 12:50:36
	Fair enough. I get more encouragement from Busby's posts than from the list, anyway.
	Comment submitted by mongoose on 2008-01-28 13:02:56
	If the list is on the FBI list of witnesses, then it"s on the list. If you are surprised that K. Free is on it, then you might someone too close to her. She was very instrumental in the Roberts scandal using several Indian tribes to funnel money. Don't believe anything I read during Stipes trial( ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by BULLET on 2008-01-28 13:47:38
	I've seen another list. One from the FEC. McAlester campaign contributors to Kalyn Free. Fascinating reading. Dale Cuzalina; Stephen/Ruth Harkins; Neal Thrift (Rustling Winds Center); Susie Carper; Randy Saunier; Mike Miller; Dr. Ken Miller; Bob Duran; Doyle Crafts; Clem Santine; Matt McGowan; C ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-28 21:04:56
	Chris Clark is not blocked -- NEVER HAS BEEN -- and can talk for himself. This tactic of trying to get his way and dictate the content of the Watercooler will not work. Note: the ONLY reason this List is coming to the top is because people are posting on it. Yes, me included -- I'm a ... Read Full Text
	Comment submitted by Hal on 2008-01-29 03:33:59
	This Opinion is now closed.