AUSTIN, TEXAS – A 58-year-old political consultant was sentenced Friday to seven years and three months in federal prison for stealing more than $2.5 Million in campaign funds from former Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, according to federal officials.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ordered that Kenneth Barfield, also known as “Buddy Barfield,” to pay $2,513,778 restitution to the Barfield Litigation Trust Settlement .
Barfield also owes the Internal Revenue Service $427,073 in back taxes. Judge Sparks allowed Barfield to remain on bond pending Bureau of Prisons facility designation.
On October 21, 2014, Barfield pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of making a false tax return and one count of embezzlement of federal campaign funds.
“Today’s sentencing is an important victory for the American taxpayer. For those who abuse their position of public trust and engage in fraud of this magnitude and complexity, as in the case of Mr. Barfield, there are serious consequences,” stated William Cotter, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation.
“This sentence should serve as a deterrent to anyone contemplating similar theft from the hard working public for their own greedy benefit. IRS Criminal Investigation remains determined and vigilant in ferreting out such nefarious schemes to defraud the citizens of this great county.”
According to court documents, Barfield, and through his Austin-based companies, was a member of the campaign staff and committee for Dewhurst’s run for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2012.
Barfield and his companies were responsible for securing, paying, subcontracting legal and legitimate activities on behalf of Dewhurst’s campaign.
Barfield admitted using the money for his own personal expenses including his home mortgage, school tuition for his children, personal investments and other living expenses. Also he admitted that on his 2008 Income Tax return, he knowingly stated that his Taxable Income was zero when, in fact, his Taxable Income should have been reported as approximately $582,000, officials said.
Barfield said that under his direction, fraudulent documentation was submitted in disclosure reports to the Federal Elections Commission regarding expenditures for campaign disbursements.