Windstream Ducks Major Trouble in Bribery Case With Charitable Contribution

Bribery and conspiracy charges filed against Windstream have been dismissed, under the condition that the Little Rock, Ark.-based business communications giant pay $100,000 to a school foundation in Oklahoma.

The state of Oklahoma had accused Windstream of bribing an Oklahoma school superintendent with college basketball tickets in return for maintaining a relationship with the company for Internet services.

The state contends that Windstream bought tickets to the 2007 NCAA Final Four in Atlanta for James Sisney, the superintendent of the Broken Arrow School District near Tulsa. He was also put up at the Hyatt and given food, drink and local transportation during his visit.

Windstream denies any wrongdoing, but will give the district’s charitable foundation $100,000 in exchange for the charges being dropped. Sisney will pay the foundation $9,500 and will avoid any further prosecution if he stays out of trouble for a year.

In the plea agreement, filed Wednesday, Windstream also promises "to take certain steps affirming its commitment to full compliance with all federal, state and local laws."

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