Barfield Gets 87 Months for Dewhurst Campaign Embezzlement

Former Texas political consultant Kenneth Barfield, also known as ‘Buddy Barfield,’ was today sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for embezzling over $2.5 million from former Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst’s campaign accounts.

In a stunning turn of events, the 58-year-old Barfield was ordered by United States District Judge Sam Sparks to pay $2,513,778 in restitution to the Barfield Litigation Trust Settlement and an additional $427,073 in back taxes to the IRS after his release. The court also imposed a three-year supervised release term following his prison sentence.

Barfield pleaded guilty on October 21, 2014, to one count of wire fraud, one count of making a false tax return, and one count of embezzlement of federal campaign funds. He admitted to using the stolen funds for personal expenses including his mortgage, children’s education, and investments.

The crime has been met with severe repercussions from law enforcement officials. Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin Jr. emphasized that Barfield’s sentence held him responsible for his misdeeds, while IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge William Cotter noted the importance of this case as a deterrent to potential future fraud.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs highlighted the FBI’s commitment to ensuring accountability for those who misuse public funds. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Travis County District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Guess and Ashley Hoff prosecuted the case on behalf of the Government.