| Clovis, CA — Dana Williamson, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former Chief of Staff, has been arrested today following multiple federal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, and obstruction of justice.
According to federal prosecutors, Williamson, during her time as Chief of Staff, orchestrated a years-long scheme to funnel more than $225,000 from a dormant campaign account once controlled by former Attorney General Xavier Becerra through a network of shell consulting firms and falsified contracts. The investigation, led by the FBI and IRS, alleges that Williamson also claimed over $1 million in false deductions on personal tax filings and used her position to disguise the illicit activity. The spoils of her alleged crimes included paying for: $15,000 Chanel purses, private jet travel, and luxury hotel stays.
How this unfolded:
- A co-conspirator, Sean McCluskie (former chief of staff to Xavier Becerra), signed a plea deal in which he admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, and agreed to repay roughly $225,000 in restitution.
- That plea gave investigators access to evidence, testimony and documentation connected to the broader scheme, including links to Williamson’s role in the funneling of funds from a dormant campaign account into entities controlled by McCluskie’s wife (under false pretense).
- The investigation revealed that funds from the dormant campaign account, originally tied to Becerra, were routed through Williamson’s consulting firm and fake contracts, then into McCluskie’s wife’s account, over a period from 2022 into 2024.
- With McCluskie’s cooperation per the plea deal, prosecutors were able to expand the inquiry, gather sufficient evidence and secure an indictment for Williamson, resulting in her arrest on public-corruption charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, and obstruction of justice.
“The fact that the Governor’s closest aide, the person who helped run his office, is now facing serious federal corruption charges should send shockwaves through California,” said Tangipa. “This is not just one bad actor. It’s a symptom of a broken culture of power and privilege in Sacramento. From the Insurance Commissioner spending scandal earlier this year, to the corruption now, it is time we expose every aspect of Sacramento’s corruption.”
The charges, unsealed this week, mark one of the most significant corruption cases to touch a sitting governor’s inner circle in recent state history. Williamson served as Newsom’s chief of staff through 2024 and previously held top roles in state Democratic politics and consulting. |
