PORTLAND, Ore. – In a stunning betrayal of trust, Pamela J. Kahut, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), was today sentenced to eight months in federal prison for siphoning over $200,000 from the commission’s health benefit trust account. The 68-year-old Wilsonville resident faces an additional three years of supervised release and is ordered to pay $211,083.27 in restitution to PSMFC, along with a $10,000 fine.
At the heart of the scheme was Kahut’s unauthorized access to PSMFC’s health benefit trust account, which was partly funded by federal grant money. From October 2014 to September 2020, Kahut systematically stole funds from this account to cover her spouse’s long-term care premiums, pension loans, and credit card bills.
On April 8, 2025, Kahut was formally charged with Theft in Connection with Health Care, a charge she pleaded guilty to on June 5, 2025. The investigation into Kahut’s misdeeds was a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Energy Office of Inspector General.
The PSMFC is an interstate agency dedicated to conserving and managing Pacific Ocean fishery resources. The theft from its health benefit trust account represents a significant loss for the organization, which relies on federal funding to support its mission.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Trisotto prosecuted the case on behalf of the District of Oregon. Trisotto commented on the severity of Kahut’s crime, noting that ‘such betrayal of public trust is unacceptable and will be punished accordingly.’
This sentence sends a clear message about the consequences of financial misconduct in the healthcare sector. It underscores the commitment of law enforcement to protect the integrity of federal grant programs and ensure that those who exploit them are held accountable.
RELATED: Kahut Sentenced for $211k Healthcare Fraud
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Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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