PORTLAND, Ore. — The former chief financial officer of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting to stealing more than $211,000 to cover personal expenses, including her husband’s long-term healthcare premiums.
Sentencing Details
On Tuesday, Pamela J. Kahut, 68, of Wilsonville, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison. Following her release, she will serve three years of supervised release.
In addition to her prison term, Kahut was ordered to:
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Pay $211,083.27 in restitution to the PSMFC
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Pay a $10,000 fine
The sentence was handed down by the U.S. District Court in Oregon after Kahut pleaded guilty earlier this year.
How the Theft Occurred
According to court documents, Kahut carried out the theft between October 2014 and September 2020, siphoning money from a PSMFC health benefit trust account.
The account was intended to cover benefit payments, fees, and related healthcare costs for employees. As CFO, Kahut had direct access to the account, which allowed her to conceal her actions for years.
Investigators found that she used the stolen funds to pay:
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Her husband’s long-term care premiums
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Her personal credit card bills
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Loans taken against her pension account
Charges and Guilty Plea
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon charged Kahut on April 8, 2025, with theft in connection with healthcare.
She pleaded guilty on June 5, 2025, admitting that she knowingly misappropriated funds entrusted to her as part of her financial responsibilities at PSMFC.
Federal Investigation
The case drew the attention of multiple federal agencies, reflecting the seriousness of the breach of trust within a public commission.
The investigation was led by:
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
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The U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General
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The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Inspector General
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Trisotto of the District of Oregon.
Impact on the Commission
The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is a multistate agency that helps coordinate fishery research and management across West Coast states. Financial integrity is critical to its mission, which relies heavily on public trust and federal funding.
Kahut’s theft not only damaged the commission financially but also undermined confidence in its internal safeguards. By exploiting her position, she was able to funnel money away from employee benefit accounts over six years before being caught.
Accountability and Consequences
Federal officials stressed that Kahut’s sentence should serve as a warning to others in positions of financial authority.
Stealing from employee health funds, prosecutors argued, was particularly egregious because it risked undermining benefits meant for workers. The court ordered restitution to ensure that the commission is repaid in full, though it remains unclear whether Kahut will be able to cover the full amount.
Looking Ahead
With her guilty plea and sentencing complete, Kahut is expected to begin serving her prison term in the coming weeks. She will remain under court supervision for three years following her release, during which she must comply with strict financial monitoring.
The case underscores the importance of oversight in agencies that manage public resources. While Kahut cited personal financial struggles as her motivation — particularly her husband’s costly long-term care needs — prosecutors emphasized that such circumstances do not excuse theft of entrusted funds.
