Dana Williamson, former chief of staff to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, pleaded guilty Thursday morning in federal court to three felony charges: conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, subscribing to a false tax return, and making false statements to a federal agent. As part of the plea bargain, the remaining 20 counts against her will be dismissed without prejudice at the time of sentencing, and can be reinstated if the agreement is voided or if Williamson violates/withdraws the plea agreement.
Court documents reveal that between February 2022 and September 2024, Williamson and multiple co-conspirators, including then-HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra's chief of staff, Sean McCluskie, stole approximately $225,000 from Becerra's dormant state political campaign account and "funnel[ed] it through various business entities and disguised it as pay to McCluskie’s spouse for what was, in reality, a no-show job." McCluskie arranged for Williamson's firm to be paid $10,000 a month by the campaign to purportedly oversee its required filings while Becerra served in the Biden administration, even though a campaign treasurer was already under contract to handle that. That money eventually found its way to McCluskie's spouse, who Williamson had set up as an employee with a no-show job. Becerra, who's been in elected office since 1990, filing campaign committee reports that entire time, and also served as California's Attorney General, claims he had no knowledge of the scheme.
Williamson also underreported her income by a total of $1,718,277 between 2021 and 2023 by claiming personal expenses, such as a lavish 50th birthday vacation to Mexico, designer handbags, home renovation costs, and family law attorneys, as business expenses. In addition, she was alleged to have fraudulently obtained a $300,000 PPP loan for her lobbying business; under the CARES Act, PPP loans could not be used for lobbying expenditures.
DIVE DEEPER
McCluskie and the third co-conspirator, lobbyist Greg Campbell, have already pled guilty and will be sentenced on June 4, two days after California's primary election month ends.
Williamson is charged with making multiple false statements to FBI investigators, which the Department of Justice says "were designed to lead the FBI away from Williamson’s criminal activity by concealing the nature of the conduit scheme, denying the backdating of contracts, and hiding Williamson’s involvement in passing information to former clients and business partners to give them an advantage in litigation against the state."
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said in a news release:
“As part of an investigation that began in 2022, Williamson joins the two others who were charged in the ‘Conduit Scheme’ conspiracy in pleading guilty. These conspirators, three of whom are former public officials, shockingly looted campaign funds for personal benefit. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue working to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that those who scorn the law are held accountable.”
FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel added:
“Dana Williamson and her co-conspirators weaponized public trust for personal gain. They stole from a campaign account, fabricated contracts, filed false tax returns and lied to federal agents. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation spent years investigating this case because integrity in public service isn’t optional. No title and no political connection places anyone above the law.”
Surprisingly, Williamson's deal wasn't lenient, especially given the fact that the 53-year-old is dealing with serious health problems; in late January she received a liver transplant. The government agreed to recommend a sentence in the "applicable guideline range as determined by the court," and to either a two- or three-level reduction if Williamson "clearly demonstrates acceptance of responsibility for her conduct as defined" in the sentencing guidelines, including meeting with/assisting the probation officer preparing the pre-sentencing report and being truthful and candid with said officer, and not "engaging in any conduct that constitutes obstruction of justice" within the meaning of the sentencing guidelines, either during preparation of the report or during the sentencing proceeding. The judge is not required to abide by those recommendations at sentencing, though.
Williamson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and $225,000 in restitution for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud; up to three years in prison, a $100,000 fine and $504,523 in restitution to the IRS for filing a false tax return, and up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for making false statements. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2026, before Chief U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley, who is also handling McCluskie and Campbell's cases.
https://redstate.com/jenvanlaar/2026/05/14/gavin-newsoms-former-chief-of-staff-pleads-guilty-in-federal-corruption-case-linked-to-xavier-becerra-n2202337
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