Robert Robles - TLC '98 Grad.    

Merle Gile (TLC '98 Grad) was hired to defend Andrew Skeith, a local lobbyist, in Oklahoma City. Skeith, along with Mike Morgan, ex State Senator and prominent high profile attorney Martin Stringer were accused of over 62 counts of conspiracy, bribery, extortion, mail fraud and other crimes related to influence peddling at the State Capital. Andrew Skeith, was accused of 62 counts of conspiracy related to the bribery, extortion, mail fraud allegedly committed by Morgan and Stringer. The story is this. A landfill operator wanted to open a landfill in Oklahoma. The landfill was opposed by the neighbors and local state representatives. The landfill operator hired Martin Stringer to get the permits for the landfill and Stringer said they had to hire State Senator Mike Morgan on retainer (to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars) to get the job done. Skeith was present at meetings and gave advice on how the legislative process worked. Stringer was paid for legal advice. Morgan was paid for legal advice and Skeith was along for the ride. Talk about a bumpy ride for Skeith. 

Merle told me that he talked to the Federal Prosecutor and asked, after reading the indictment, exactly what crimes did Andrew Skeith commit? The prosecutor said you'll see.