Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) former chief of staff pleaded guilty Thursday to federal corruption-related charges tied to a scheme prosecutors say siphoned money from a dormant campaign account belonging to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who is now one of the state’s leading gubernatorial candidates.
Dana Williamson, who was Newsom’s chief of staff from 2022 to 2024 and previously worked as a political adviser to Becerra, entered a plea agreement in federal court in Sacramento after months of negotiations with prosecutors.
Under the agreement, Williamson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, making false statements to federal authorities, and tax-related allegations tied to a COVID-19-era federal loan. Prosecutors dismissed 20 additional charges.
Federal prosecutors had accused Williamson of participating in a scheme alongside Becerra’s longtime aide and former chief of staff Sean McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell to funnel about $225,000 from Becerra’s inactive campaign account for personal use.
Prosecutors alleged the money was redirected through consulting arrangements and other payments to conceal the transfers after Becerra was nominated to head the Department of Health and Human Services under former President Joe Biden. Williamson was also accused of expensing luxury purchases as tax-deductible business expenses.
The case first erupted last year when a federal indictment charged Williamson with 23 counts related to fraud, tax crimes, and public corruption, sending shockwaves through California political circles because of her close ties to Newsom and Becerra.
McCluskie, another central figure in the case and a longtime adviser to Becerra, previously pleaded guilty in connection with the broader campaign fund scheme. Campbell also accepted a plea deal at the time of Williamson’s indictment.
Becerra has not been charged, and prosecutors have characterized him as a victim whose dormant campaign account was exploited without his knowledge. His team has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said federal investigators found no evidence implicating him.
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Becerra’s main competition in the gubernatorial race, former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), has used Williamson’s indictment as a way to bash her primary contender, saying voters shouldn’t “risk” supporting him.
The plea deal reportedly notes that Williamson made “false statements” to Becerra about the funds being siphoned from his account.