Former Chief Financial Officer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Theft in Connection with Health Care

PORTLAND, Ore.- Today, Pamela J. Kahut, 68, of Wilsonville, Oregon, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for stealing money from the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) health benefit trust account. At the time of the offense, Kahut was PSMFC's Chief Financial Officer. PSMFC is an interstate agency that conserves, develops, and manages Pacific Ocean fishery resources.

Kahut was also ordered to pay $211,083.27 in restitution to PSMFC and to pay a $10,000 fine.

According to court documents, Kahut, as Chief Financial Officer of PSMFC, had access to and controlled PSMFC's health benefit trust account that was created to pay benefits, fees, and other charges for PSMFC employees covered under its self-funded health care benefit program. The health benefit trust account was funded, in part, through federal grant money issued to the PSMFC.

Between about October 2014 and September 2020, Kahut stole $211,083.27 from the health benefit trust account. Kahut used the funds to pay for her spouse's long-term care annual premiums, pay off her pension loans, and to pay her credit card bills.

On April 8, 2025, Kahut was charged by information with Theft in Connection with Health Care.

On June 5, 2025, Kahut pleaded guilty to Theft in Connection with Health Care.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Energy Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Robert Trisotto, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.