US EditionNewsom Ex-Chief of Staff Arrested in $225K Campaign Fraud
Dana Williamson and associates allegedly siphoned $225,000 from Xavier Becerra's dormant campaign account, billing bogus consulting and claiming over $1 million in false tax deductions.
- On 11/12/25, federal prosecutors announced Dana Williamson, former chief of staff to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, was charged with conspiring to funnel about $225,000 from a campaign tied to Xavier Becerra.
- A three-year investigation by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation found DOJ alleges false contracts were created after a January 2024 subpoena to conceal conduct from February 2022–September 2024.
- Prosecutors also assert Dana Williamson claimed more than $1 million in business deductions and routed $10,000 a month payments to McCluskie's spouse for a no-show job.
- Williamson appeared Wednesday in court and pleaded not guilty in Sacramento federal court, where Judge Carolyn Delaney approved her release on $500,000 bond; she faces potential penalties of up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine per bank/wire fraud count.
- Newsom's office said Dana Williamson no longer serves after being indicted, and officials warn the case could impact the California governor's race while Becerra cooperates with the DOJ.
174 Articles
174 Articles
Ottumwa Courier
Newsom's ex-aide indicted on corruption, fraud charges. Here's what to know about the case.
A former top aide to California’s Gavin Newsom was arrested and indicted on federal corruption charges this week. Dana Williamson is accused of helping in a scheme to steal campaign money from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, filling fraudulent…
ABC, CBS, and NBC Mute on Gov. Newsom’s ‘Mob Boss’ Chief-of-Staff Getting Indicted
ABC, CBS, and NBC Mute on Gov. Newsom’s ‘Mob Boss’ Chief-of-Staff Getting Indicted The “Big Three” broadcast networks of ABC, CBS, and NBC were already hard at work making sure the boards of the presidential contenders stage wouldn’t squeak when Democrats stepped up. During their Wednesday evening and Thursday morning flagship newscasts, none of those networks cared to report that the now-former chief-of-staff for California Governor Gavin News…
Former chief of staff to Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), Dana Williamson, has been arrested and charged with “conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of justice, filing false tax returns, and making false statements,” announced U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. Between February 2022 and September 2024, Williamson conspired with others to divert approximately $225,000 of funds f…
Newsom Insider Busted: Top Dem Consultant Nabbed In Corruption Scandal - Real News Now
A high-level political operative with deep ties to California Governor Gavin Newsom and former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has been indicted in a sweeping corruption case that’s already rocked the state’s Democratic establishment. Dana Williamson, a veteran Democrat consultant and Newsom’s former chief of staff, was hit with 23 federal counts in a stunning indictment unsealed Wednesday. Charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy, obstru…
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