Gene Stipe assistant charged

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- An assistant to Oklahoma state Senator Gene Stipe is charged with two federal election violations linked to Walt Roberts' failed 1998 congressional campaign. <br><br>Charlene

Friday, March 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- An assistant to Oklahoma state Senator Gene Stipe is charged with two federal election violations linked to Walt Roberts' failed 1998 congressional campaign.

Charlene Spears was charged Thursday with a misdemeanor count of conspiracy to violate the Federal Election Campaign Act and a felony count of conspiracy to obstruct a federal investigation.

Roberts pleaded guilty Wednesday to identical charges.

The government says Roberts received $175,000 in illegal campaign contributions from an unnamed political mentor.

At the time, federal law limited donations to $1,000.

Roberts is accused of lying about the source of the money.

He is scheduled for sentencing on July 15th.