Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, was arrested Wednesday on federal charges alleging she stole $225,000 from Xavier Becerra’s dormant gubernatorial campaign account and falsely claimed over $1 million in luxury expenses as business deductions.
The FBI said the case stemmed from a three-year probe launched during the Biden administration. Williamson’s attorney, McGregor Scott, said federal agents approached her last year seeking information about Newsom, but she told them she had none and declined to cooperate. A separate source confirmed that investigators had pressured her to implicate the governor.
According to a 23-count indictment unsealed in Sacramento, Williamson and two associates—Becerra’s ex-deputy and former chief of staff Sean McCluskie, and lobbyist Greg Campbell—used shell companies to funnel campaign funds through bogus consulting invoices beginning in 2022, while Becerra was serving as Health and Human Services secretary. Federal prosecutors said much of the stolen money went to McCluskie’s wife for fabricated work. McCluskie has agreed to plead guilty and is cooperating with investigators.
Williamson also faces charges for falsifying documents to secure a COVID-era small business loan and writing off extravagant personal purchases, including a $15,353 Chanel purse, a $5,818 Fendi wallet, and a $150,000 Mexico birthday trip featuring an $11,000 yacht and a $21,000 private jet.
Williamson, 53, appeared in court Wednesday, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $500,000 bond. Judge Carolyn Delaney ordered her to surrender her passport, provide a DNA sample, and submit to drug testing by Nov. 26.
