Newsom’s Former Chief of Staff Arrested, Charged With 32 Felonies in Federal Conspiracy and Fraud Case – RedState
Dana Williamson, former chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom, was arrested Wednesday morning and 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 relate to an alleged scheme between Williamson and at least three other prominent California Democratic political operatives “to divert approximately $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign to the personal use of an associate.”
The investigation began under the Biden administration and is the result of a nearly three-year investigation.
According to the indictment, in February 2022, Sean McCluskie, who was then chief of staff to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, was looking for a way to generate additional revenue without having to report it on his federal financial and ethics disclosures. As part of his job, McCluskie was also responsible for ensuring that Becerra’s $1.5 million in dormant state campaign accounts “were monitored and supervised by a third party” while serving as a member of Joe Biden’s cabinet. So, he and Williamson devised a plan whereby Williamson would bill Becerra’s campaign for handling the accounts and, after the funds passed through various entities and a payroll provider, they would end up in the McCluskies’ bank account, apparently like his wife’s salary. McCluskie’s wife, who had previous work experience at media companies such as the Washington Post, did not work for Williamson and was a stay-at-home mother.
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 these payments could continue.
A press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California describes the basis for some of the other charges:
The indictment also alleges that Williamson conspired with an associate to create false backdated contracts after receiving a civil subpoena in January 2024 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office relating to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans made to Williamson’s company.
Williamson also subscribed to false tax returns claiming more than $1 million in business deductions for what were actually personal, nondeductible expenses, such as private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, designer furnishings and handbags, as well as deductions for no-show jobs for friends and family.
According to a report from Politico, Newsom learned in November 2024 that Williamson was under criminal investigation and had been questioned by the FBI. He then placed her on leave and she resigned in December 2024. Before Politico’s report, Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon released this statement:
“While we are still learning the details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public officials to uphold the highest standards of integrity. At a time when the President is openly calling on 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 his peers.”
Becerra confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle that he was the public official named in the indictment, and both the U.S. attorney’s office and Becerra said he knew nothing about the plot. Becerra said:
“Today’s news of formal accusations of impropriety by a longtime trusted advisor is a body blow. I have willingly cooperated with the U.S. Department of Justice in their investigation, and will continue to do so. As the former Attorney General of California, I fully understand the importance of allowing this investigation and legal proceeding to take their course in our justice system.”
McCluskie and another political consultant named in the case, who was part of the scheme to funnel money to McCluskie, have pleaded guilty.
Williamson had his first appearance at the federal courthouse in Sacramento Wednesday afternoon and pleaded not guilty.
Editor’s note: At RedState, we’re committed to keeping California Madness in California. We’ve been at the forefront of reporting on Gavin Newsom’s corruption and failures — and it’s made us a target of the left and Big Tech.
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