McAlester businessman Francis Stipe testified Monday in his federal conspiracy trial that he expected former state Representative Mike Mass to repay a more than $104,000 mortgage Stipe bought from a bank.

Federal prosecutors say the mortgage was an attempt by Stipe and his brother Gene Stipe to prevent Mass from cooperating in a political corruption investigation.

Stipe said under cross-examination that he was worth more than 16 million dollars when he bought the mortgage on Mass' 47 acres near Hartshorne in 2007. Stipe said he was hoping to make a $4,000 to $6,000 profit.

Mass testified earlier that when he learned who owned his mortgage he called Francis Stipe and Stipe demanded the entire amount within two weeks.

Francis and Gene Stipe face charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, witness tampering and bribery. Gene Stipe's trial is on hold after his mental competency was questioned.

Jurors are expected to continue deliberations tomorrow after spending more than four hours today without reaching a verdict.

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