Kathy Penfield, Financial Crimes, Louisiana 2013

SHREVEPORT, La. - In a shocking move, forensic financial auditor Kathy T. Penfield has been honored for her 22 years of service in the Western District of Louisiana, but her last day was December 31, 2013, marking the end of an era for the office.

According to sources, Penfield, a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner, was recognized for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the Western District. Her years of service and dedication to the cause of justice are a true testament to her commitment to the citizens of this district.

Penfield, who graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1981 from Centenary College in Shreveport, received a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She is a 25-plus year member of the Louisiana Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

In her 22 years with the office, Penfield provided expert forensic auditing and accounting services in investigations, determining whether there were violations of federal statutes such as bank fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, commodities fraud, Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO), mail fraud, and more. Her work was used by federal prosecutors to convict many high-profile defendants, including corrupt public officials.

Penfield has worked with numerous federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Among her numerous awards and citations, she received a letter of commendation from the Director of the FBI for her work on two complex cases, multiple recognitions from regional FBI offices for her forensic fraud examinations, and awards from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, Southeast Region, for her service in the Western District of Louisiana.

Penfield is married to Jim Penfield, her husband of 42 years. Despite her retirement, her legacy will live on in the Western District of Louisiana, where she will be greatly missed.

The office will continue to honor her contributions to the cause of justice, and her work will remain a model for future generations of forensic financial auditors.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/united-states-attorneys-office-says-goodbye-forensic-financial-auditor