Former Dewhurst Crony Pleads Guilty to Stealing $1.8 Million from Campaign

By Stephen Young Tue., Oct. 21 2014 at 3:52 PM

Patrick Michels

Couldn't have beaten eggs.

As if the state needed more reason to be ashamed about the 2012 Republican Senate primary -- you know, the one that ended with Ted Cruz basically being handed a national platform on a silver platter -- Buddy Barfield, longtime top aid to Cruz's runoff opponent, David Dewhurst, has admitted to siphoning almost $2 million from Dewhurst's campaign.

From 2008-2012, Barfield filed fake invoices with the David Dewhurst Committee and Dewhurst for Texas. When money was paid to the front companies he created, Barfield used it to pay for things like his mortgage and his kids' school tuition. As you would expect, Barfield did not claim the money he embezzled on his taxes -- in 2008, a year he grabbed more than $650,000 from the Dewhurst piggy bank, he claimed zero taxable income -- so he also admitted to tax evasion.

As embarrassing as the situation must be for Barfield, it's even more embarrassing for Tom Leppert.

Leppert the erstwhile pro-business, thoughtful conservative in that 2012 Senate race, couldn't get more than 13.3 percent of the vote. Thirteen point three percent while running against a campaign that was actively sabotaged by one of its top aides and Ted Freaking Cruz.

Maybe it was that Leppert's prime accomplishment in public life was shepherding the second toll road referendum down the throats of Dallas voters, maybe it was that he has all the personality of low-sodium Cream of Wheat, but Leppert could not force his way into a runoff in a race where his two top opponents had either a staff on the take or an utter lack of desire to be part of a functional government.

Even Ron Kirk did better than that.

Barfield faces up to 28 years in prison, but prosecutors have recommend leniency because of his quickly pleading guilty.

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noblefurrtexas topcommenter

I think it's unfair to call Barfield a "crony" of Lt. Gov. Dewhurst. He was a hires campaign manager/consultant, and broke faith with his client and with the Republican Party.

Is Dewhurst too trusting? Perhaps. But, he is a former Air Force Intelligence Officer, and worked for the CIA for a time.

Having misplaced faith in people is not new, and not exclusive to Dewhurst. At some point in time, it happens to all of us.

ivyhall

Karl Rove lite? One wonders how many tax payer millions would have gone down the drain if "Dewey"was elected Senator. Given the missing millions from the enterprise fund (kind of cynical name, n'est-ce pas?) and in medicaid funds paid to dentists for unnecessary dental work on medicaid kids , one wonders how much else is out there left to be exposed. Leniency? Phooey on that! Throw the book at the weasel!

TheRuddSki topcommenter

There's theft, then there's Theft. Thank goodness the Theft depicted in this video never, ever happens.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LEQpHfnJz-c

dfw_maverick

It seems the author really doesn't like republicans

Montemalone topcommenter

Leniency?

Fuck that shit.

Law and order conservatard hypocrites deserve life.

dingo

'As embarrassing as the situation must be for Barfield, it's even more embarrassing for Tom Leppert.'

Ten points off - for forced transition.

It is a disgraceful situation for Barfield. Whether or not he is embarrassed by that situation is only incidental.

noblefurrtexas topcommenter

@bvckvs Oh really? How about the endless crimes committed by public official Democrats here in Dallas? How about Jesse Jackson having affairs? How about former Legislator Terri Hodge - who did prison time?

The list goes on and on, and stretches from the courthouse to the White House.

dingo

@Montemalone

Obama appointed the US Attorney heading the prosecution team..

TheRuddSki topcommenter

Better get used to them, they're about to steal your hope and change.

ivyhall

@dingo @Montemalone Yes and the USAs and AUSAs all like to eat lunch in this town, while trying to get on board with great paying career jobs in established conservative law firms... (follow the money)