Dana Williamson, former chief of staff to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, was arrested Wednesday morning, charged in a 23-count federal indictment with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns, and making false statements. The charges are related to an alleged scheme between Williamson and at least three other prominent California Democrat political operatives “to divert approximately $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign to an associate’s personal use.”
The investigation began under the Biden administration, and the charges are the result of a nearly three-year investigation.
According to the indictment, in February 2022 Sean McCluskie, who was then-Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s chief of staff, wanted a way to bring in additional income without having to report it on his federal financial and ethical disclosures. As part of his employment, McCluskie was also responsible for arranging for the $1.5 million in Becerra’s dormant state campaign accounts “to be monitored and overseen by a third party” while serving as a member of Joe Biden’s cabinet. So, he and Williamson devised a plan by which Williamson would bill Becerra’s campaign for account management and, after the funds worked their way through various entities and a payroll provider, they would end up in the McCluskies’ bank account, ostensibly as his wife’s salary. McCluskie’s wife, who had previous professional experience with media companies such as the Washington Post, did not work for Williamson and was a stay-at-home mom.
In total, McCluskie and his wife received $225,000 from Becerra’s accounts, according to the indictment. Williamson’s firm, Grace Public Affairs, received $74,000.
When Williamson became Newsom’s chief of staff in late 2022, she brought another person into the conspiracy so those payments could continue.
A press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California describes the basis of some of the other charges:
The indictment also alleges that Williamson conspired with a business associate to create false, backdated contracts after receiving a civil subpoena in January 2024 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans made to Williamson’s business.
Williamson also subscribed to false tax returns claiming more than $1 million in business deductions for what were actually personal and nondeductible expenditures, such as private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, home furnishings, and designer handbags, as well as deductions for no-show jobs for friends and family.
According to a Politico report, Newsom learned in November 2024 that Williamson was under criminal investigation and had been interviewed by the FBI. He placed her on leave then, and she resigned in December 2024. Prior to Politico’s report Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, issued this statement:
“While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity. At a time when the President is openly calling for his Attorney General to investigate his political enemies, it is especially important to honor the American principle of being innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of one’s peers.”
Becerra confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle that he is the public official referenced in the indictment, and both the U.S. Attorney’s office and Becerra say that he knew nothing about the plot. Becerra said:
“The news today of formal accusations of impropriety by a long-serving trusted advisor are a gut punch. I have voluntarily cooperated with the US Department of Justice in their investigation, and will continue to do so. As California’s former Attorney General, I fully comprehend the importance of allowing this investigation and legal process to run its course through our justice system.”
McCluskie and another political consultant named in the case, who was part of the shell game funneling money to McCluskie, have entered guilty pleas.
Williamson had her initial appearance at the federal courthouse in Sacramento Wednesday afternoon and entered a plea of not guilty.
Editor’s Note: At RedState, we’re committed to making sure that California craziness stays in California. We’ve been at the forefront of reporting on Gavin Newsom’s corruption and failures – and that’s made us a target of the left and Big Tech.
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