Newsom Insider Busted: Top Dem Consultant Nabbed In Corruption Scandal

The former chief of staff to California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom was charged Wednesday in connection with a complicated scheme to steal funds from a campaign account previously belonging to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

The Justice Department unveiled a 23-count indictment against 53-year-old Democrat consultant Dana Williamson, charging her with bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns, and making false statements. Williamson, who worked for Newsom between 2022 and 2024, is accused of participating in a scheme to divert $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account.

“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. “As it always has, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.”

The indictment alleges that Williamson worked with lobbyist Greg Campbell and former Becerra chief of staff Sean McCluskie to funnel funds from the dormant campaign account. Prosecutors say the scheme operated between February 2022 and September 2024.

Indictment

Both McCluskie and Campbell accepted plea deals last month related to the scheme. 

“Mr. Campbell takes full accountability for his actions and is cooperating fully with the legal process,” Todd Pickles, a lawyer for Campbell, said in a statement. He added that Campbell is “an honorable former public servant and a positive and respected member of the community who has conducted himself with integrity through this deeply challenging process.”

The indictment also alleged that Williamson claimed more than $1 million in fraudulent tax deductions. This includes claiming deductions for items like a $15,353 Chanel handbag and ring, a $5,818 Fendi handbag and wallet, a $19,498 heating and cooling system at her home, a $9,859 watch, a $6,324 couch for her home, a $21,175 private jet charter, a $15,662 luxury hotel stay on her birthday, and $156,302 for a luxury vacation in Mexico, according to the indictment. 

Williamson pleaded not guilty to the charges during an appearance in federal court on Wednesday. Footage shared online by California political reporter Ashley Zavala showed her exiting the courthouse without responding to questions from reporters.

Here’s what happened when Dana Williamson— Gov. Newsom’s former Chief of Staff— emerged from federal court.

She stayed pretty silent and said we could talk to her attorneys. Her attorney wouldn’t talk.

She had nothing to say when I asked for her message to Xavier Becerra: pic.twitter.com/hbgOtvhLsp

— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) November 13, 2025

McGregor Scott, Williamson’s lawyer, accused the Trump administration of showboating in its handling of the case. 

“They chose the grandstanding route,” he told the New York Times. “The only conclusion I can draw is this is the latest misstep taken down the wrong road by the Trump Justice Department.”

If convicted, Williamson could face decades in prison and penalties totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Becerra, who is running for governor of California, said he was cooperating with federal authorities. 

“The news today of formal accusations of impropriety by a long-serving trusted advisor are a gut punch,” he said. “As California’s former Attorney General, I fully comprehend the importance of allowing this investigation and legal process to run its course through our justice system.”