Reba McEntire Is No Fairweather Friend

Reba McEntire has put pen to paper in an effort to help out a fellow Oklahoman who's currently in some pretty serious legal trouble.

Businessman Steve Phipps, who plead guilty in 2007 to a federal conspiracy charge after acknowledging he had bribed three legislators in return for getting taxpayer money for his companies, is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday (May 27) in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He's facing five years in prison.

Nashville Gab reports that Reba was among 45 people who wrote to the judge in the case, asking that the court be lenient on Phipps.

In her letter to the judge, Reba wrote that the two had been close friends since grade school. Phipps' son is also an intern at the singer's Starstruck company in Nashville.Reba also said Phipps has been keeping her informed of what's going on with people from her hometown, especially those who've had medical problems.

"I know that Steve has helped many of these families with support and monetary assistance." Reba wrote. In addition to the citizens asking for leniency in the case, federal prosecutors are also asking the judge to consider the fact that Phipps cooperated in another case against former state Representative Mike Mass, who was convicted, and former state Representative Randall Erwin, who was acquitted, as well as other cases which could lead to prosecution.

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INDIO, CA - APRIL 25: Singer Reba McEntire performs onstage during day one of California's Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2009 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Singer Reba McEntire performs on day 1 of the 2009 Stagecoach: California's Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 25, 2009 in Indio, California..2009 Stagecoach: California's Country Music Festival - Day 1.Empire Polo Field.Indio, CA United States.April 25, 2009.Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com..To license this image (57285435), contact WireImage.com

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UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - APRIL 19: Actress/singer Reba McEntire arrives at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre on April 19, 2009 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Actress/singer Reba McEntire arrives at the 2009 TV Land Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre on April 19, 2009 in Universal City, California..2009 TV Land Awards - Arrivals.Gibson Amphitheatre.Universal City, CA United States.April 19, 2009.Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com..To license this image (16664987), contact WireImage.com

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Actress/singer Reba McEntire arrives at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre on April 19, 2009 in Universal City, California..7th Annual TV Land Awards - Red Carpet.Gibson Amphitheatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.April 19, 2009.Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57224127), contact FilmMagic.com

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Presenter Reba McEntire speaks onstage during the 7th Annual TV Land Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre on April 19, 2009 in Universal City, California..7th Annual TV Land Awards - Show.Gibson Amphitheatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.April 19, 2009.Photo by Chris Polk/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57225652), contact FilmMagic.com

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