Oklahoma state GOP senator admits to $1.8M in fraud, quits

[n2doc]

Source: AP

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A two-term Oklahoma state senator admitted in federal court Thursday that he stole $1.8 million from the nonprofit agency where he worked and filed a false tax return.

Wearing a gray suit and tie, Republican Sen. Rick Brinkley stood before U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan and admitted wrongdoing on all six charges — five counts of wire fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.

The 54-year-old negotiated a plea agreement with the federal government and is due back in court for sentencing Nov. 20, when he could get up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the wire fraud charges and up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for filing a false tax return, federal prosecutors said.

The Republican from Owasso previously said he'd step down from his state Senate seat on Dec. 31, but resigned from his legislative seat just before Thursday's hearing.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5e811a270ba045da8f5f92089bee68c1/oklahoma-state-gop-senator-admits-18m-fraud-quits

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[4lbs]

1. You mean a GOP politician has engaged in criminal activity? I would have never guessed it! nt

[asiliveandbreathe]

2. Smug POS....

Oklahoma - 2 term state senator.....again - POS....next.....

[colsohlibgal]

3. Hypocrites Are Us

Moral Majority? Not so much.

GOP stands for Grand Old Phonies.

[valerief]

4. I have no problem believing he did it. I'm having a hard time, however, believing

he admitted to it. Republicans never admit to crime.

[ruffburr]

5. So let me get this straight-

He steals 1.8 million gets fined 500 thousand and does 3years in a country club prison at taxpayers expense, At a profit of 1.3 million? Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, How this constitutes justice is beyond me, Guess I'm just slow.

[left-of-center2012]

6. "he could get up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine"

It will be interesting to see what he actually gets.

[hughee99]

10. A slap on the wrist and a cushy job as a

Consultant is my bet.

[Doctor_J]

7. I prefer the Japanese solution

Hari Kari right in the state house

[Enthusiast]

8. I figure Jesus will for give him.

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[NCjack]

9. Republican-on-Republican crime. Difficult to guess which Republican(s)

the Republican judge will favor in the Republican court.

[Milliesmom]

11. Key word

REPUBLICAN,

look at his Donald Trump smirk, he should have to pay back every cent,$2. a day like all prisoners

[NBachers]

12. He stole it from the Better Business Bureau. Republicans: The Party of Business

[niyad]

13. sounds like he was trying to give duke cunningham a run for his money