Former Aide to Newsom Arrested by FBI, Charged with $225K Campaign Fund Misuse
Federal Indictment Ties California Political Campaign Funds to Personal Use by Dana Williamson
Earlier this week, I reported that California Governor Gavin Newsom went to the United Nations annual climate conference in Brazil.
Initially, I thought it was because Newsom was continuing to build his credentials as a progressive, eco-activist wokester ahead of the 2028 presidential election cycle…with a side of sticking it to President Donald Trump.
It turns out it may have been a good time to get out of town, as well. Newsom’s former Chief-of-Staff, Dana Williamson, was arrested by the FBI and charged on multiple counts, including bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the U.S., and related offenses.
Court documents allege that Williamson, 53, conspired with others to divert about $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign to an associate’s personal use, prosecutors said. That money, they charge, was then funneled through various business entities and disguised as pay for a “no-show job,” prosecutors allege.
“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said.
From February 2022 to September 2024, federal prosecutors allege Williamson conspired with a business associate to create false and backdated contracts.
The indictment goes on to claim Williamson subscribed to false tax returns, claiming more than $1 million in business deductions that prosecutors said were for personal and nondeductible expenditures, like private jet travel, hotel stays, home furnishings and designer handbags.
BREAKING: Gavin Newsom’s former Chief of Staff was just arrested by the FBI and charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States– which include funneling campaign money for personal use. pic.twitter.com/jbzciC9uGo
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 12, 2025
I would like to point out that the California governor’s Chief of Staff is the top aide and executive manager, responsible for implementing the governor’s agenda, overseeing the governor’s staff, and managing major policy and administrative priorities. This role includes acting as the governor’s gatekeeper, controlling access, coordinating information flow, developing and communicating policy, and advising on strategic and legislative matters.
In other words, it is a non-trivial position that placed her close to Newsom. This isn’t a good look for someone running for president, eager to tout successful executive skills. There is no question that Newsom’s Democratic rivals will be asking many questions about his former aide during debate season.
The federal indictment identifies four additional alleged co-conspirators and accuses Williamson of participating in a scheme alongside Sean McCluskie, who was serving as chief of staff to then-California Attorney General Xavier Becerra at the time of the alleged offenses.
Becerra is a former California attorney general who was appointed health secretary by former President Joe Biden. He is not implicated in the indictment.
The indictment alleges that Williamson and McCluskie took money from Becerra’s dormant campaign account and funneled it to McCluskie, about $225,000 over a period of more than two years.
Williamson was Newsom’s chief of staff from late 2022 until late 2024.
“Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration. While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity,” a spokesperson for Newsom said in a statement.
🚨Just in: Gavin Newsom’s former Chief of Staff Dana Williamson was arrested by the FBI
She charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. which includes her funneling $225K in campaign funds linked to Xavier Becerra for her personal use pic.twitter.com/rRkvRzuTcA
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) November 12, 2025
Prosecutors indicate the funds were routed through multiple business entities and falsely labeled as pay for non-existent jobs. She also used fake contracts for COVID loans.
The court filings also allege that Williamson created fake contracts to obtain COVID loans for her company and filed false tax returns, claiming over $1 million in personal expenses — including private jet travel, luxury hotels, home furnishings and designer handbags — as business deductions.
She is also accused of sharing government information with a company involved in litigation with the Golden State and then lying about it to the FBI, according to the indictment.
Before joining Newsom’s inner circle, Williamson ran her own consulting firm, Grace Public Affairs, and served as a senior aide to a string of California heavyweights, including Govs. Jerry Brown and Gray Davis, The Sacramento Bee reported.
Discovery should be fascinating, and many people in California and around the country will be interested in what develops in this case.
Me, now. pic.twitter.com/Ye2xhng0I3
— Leslie Eastman ☥ (@Mutnodjmet) November 12, 2025
The news likely could not come at a worse time for Newsom, as the media begins push-polling efforts to make it seem he can actually beat Vice President J.D. Vance in 2028. It’s never too early for the elite media to begin setting the Democratic Party narrative.
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Comments
So, Looting the Coffers is fully in line with job priorities.
$225k is nothing for team newscum. That’s one year entertainment expenses at 3 star michelin restaurants like French Laundry.
“‘Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration. While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity,’ a spokesperson for Newsom said in a statement.”
Nice boilerplate disclaimer. Totally meaningless, particularly considering Newsom’s record. The Democrat gaslighting continues unabated.
her defense should be
this is exactly how we run the government …why am I a scapegoat!?
Exactly. She should say I watched Gavin write off all his fancy dinners at the French Laundry for his family and he told me it was okay to do that. So I just did what Gavin did and he still does!
It’s interesting that this investigation started in 2022, when Biden’s team was going after potential future rivals like DJT. Was Newsom considered a rival, at party level, and they needed dirt on him, and it ended up, so far, on Williamson, his CoS?
Please post a pic of Williamson. Her physiognomy warns the world. She is an old, morbidly obese, pig-faced, greedy looking bruiser.
I was curious about why there are no pics of her. I found some on my own.
Plus, she apparently chose to go to court wearing her pajamas and her housecoat…
Anyone here believe she did this without Governor Unindicted Co-conspirator’s knowledge or say so?
While we are on the topic, who paid for the scum’s trip to Brazil? Taxpayers or campaign fund? How did he get there? First class airfare or private plane? Where did he stay and how much did it cost? Inquiring minds want to know.
This photo is included in the AP story about the indictment; she’s the one in the sunglasses. This matches the verbal description of her towards the end of the article.
This might explain all the stopped clocks in the Sacrament federal courthouse.
https://apnews.com/article/dana-williamson-indicted-california-campaign-funds-914ab93a598f8a7c4cf4d7c205c38e41
I do not believe that Newsom and others are clueless that this $225k was taken. The $100M that was given for the Palisades Fire Fund Raiser seemed to disappear quickly and nothing has been built or approved. I am pretty sure Newsom was behind it and it will likely be part of his 2028 Dem Presidential run.