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.
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.
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.
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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