Ex-Dewhurst Aide Sentence For Stealing Campaign Funds
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AUSTIN (AP) - An ex-top adviser to former Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for stealing $2.5-plus million in campaign funds from the then-powerful Republican.
Kenneth "Buddy" Barfield was sentenced Friday but remains free on bail until being assigned to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks also ordered Barfield to pay $2.5 million in restitution.
Brafield ran Dewhurst's unsuccessful 2012 U.S. Senate campaign. He had faced a longer sentence, but pleaded guilty in October to wire fraud, making a false tax return and embezzling federal campaign funds.
Barfield also admitted to lying about his taxable income on his 2008 tax return, and owes the IRS nearly $430,000.
Dewhurst lost his re-election bid and left office in January.
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