A former top adviser to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has pleaded guilty to charges of stealing $1.8 million in campaign funds from the powerful Republican.
Kenneth Barfield did not comment Tuesday after leaving an Austin federal courthouse. He faces up to 20 years in prison and is still awaiting a sentencing date.
The 58-year-old Barfield pleaded guilty to wire fraud, making a false tax return and embezzlement of campaign funds. He ran Dewhurst's unsuccessful campaign against Ted Cruz for a U.S. Senate seat in 2012.
Dewhurst will leave office in January after losing his bid for a fourth term as lieutenant governor. He was defeated by state Sen. Dan Patrick in a Republican primary runoff.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
