{"id":2509949,"date":"2025-11-12T22:07:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T03:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-arrests-ex-newsom-chief-of-staff-on-public-corruption-charges\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T22:09:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T03:09:10","slug":"fbi-arrests-ex-newsom-chief-of-staff-on-public-corruption-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-arrests-ex-newsom-chief-of-staff-on-public-corruption-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"FBI arrests ex-Newsom chief of staff on public corruption charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffbi-arrests-ex-newsom-chief-of-staff-on-public-corruption-charges%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2509949&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Dana Williamson, former chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom, was arrested on federal public corruption charges related to the alleged theft of over $225,000 in campaign funds connected to former federal Health Secretary Xavier becerra. The indictment, which includes 23 counts, accuses Williamson of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, obstruction of justice, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rashida-tlaib-promoted-a-fundraiser-for-group-tied-to-hamas-taliban\/\" title=\"Rashida Tlaib Promoted a Fundraiser for Group Tied to Hamas, Taliban\">filing false tax returns<\/a>, and making false statements. Prosecutors claim that between February 2022 and September 2023, Williamson and others diverted money from a dormant political campaign account linked to Becerra for personal use, disguising payments as no-show jobs. The indictment also alleges that Williamson fabricated backdated contracts following a federal subpoena and claimed over $1 million in improper tax deductions for luxury expenses. Alongside Williamson, four other individuals, including Becerra&#8217;s former chief of staff, face charges in what is described as an ongoing political corruption inquiry centered on sacramento political circles. Williamson faces up to 20 years in prison and fines if convicted.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">FBI arrests former Newsom chief of staff on public corruption charges<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2399557\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A former top aide to Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA) was arrested Wednesday on sweeping federal corruption charges alleging she helped steal more than $225,000 in campaign funds tied to former federal Health Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\">Xavier Becerra<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Dana Williamson, 53, of Carmichael, was taken into custody and appeared in a Sacramento federal courtroom Wednesday afternoon following the unsealing of a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-edca\/media\/1417121\/dl?inline\">23-count indictment<\/a> that includes charges of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of justice, filing false tax returns, and making false statements, prosecutors said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3884954\/appeals-court-families-survivors-sue-saudi-arabia-naval-air-base-attack\/\">Appeals court allows families to sue Saudi Arabia over <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >naval air base attack&#038;nbsp<\/a>;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3884673\/kash-patel-says-china-agreed-stop-production-fentanyl-ingredients\/\">Kash Patel says China agreed to stop production of fentanyl ingredients<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3884127\/doj-eyes-hate-crime-charges-for-uc-berkeley-protests\/\">DOJ eyes hate crime charges for UC Berkeley protests amid civil rights investigation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dana Williamson, Cabinet secretary in the Office of the Governor, gives her support to SB 277 during the Assembly Health Committee hearing on SB 277 on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, in Sacramento, Calif. (Lea Suzuki\/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> alleged that between February 2022 and September last year, Williamson and others diverted funds from a dormant political campaign account once associated with Becerra, then California&rsquo;s attorney general, to an associate&rsquo;s personal use. Prosecutors said the money was disguised as payment for a &ldquo;no-show job.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Williamson served as Newsom&rsquo;s chief of staff from late 2022 until November last year. Before that, she was a Cabinet secretary under former Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/1310393\/jerry-brown-cautions-biden-2024-is-not-a-slam-dunk\/\">Jerry Brown<\/a> and managed Becerra&rsquo;s 2018 campaign for attorney general.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration. While we are still learning details of the allegations, the governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity,&rdquo; a spokesperson for Newsom said.<\/p>\n<p>Becerra, the former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services under former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\">Joe Biden<\/a>, is not accused of wrongdoing and could not be reached for comment.<\/p>\n<p>The indictment also alleges that, after receiving a federal subpoena in early 2024 related to pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program loans, Williamson created backdated contracts to cover-up the scheme. Prosecutors further say she claimed more than $1 million in improper tax deductions for luxury personal expenses, including private jet travel, designer handbags, and no-show jobs for friends and family.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a crucial step in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-fbi-arrests-newsoms-ex-chief-of-staff-on-23-count-indictment-bank-and-wire-fraud-conspiracy-to-defraud-the-us-obstruction-of-justice-and-more\/\" title=\"Breaking: ... Newsom&#039;s Ex-... of ... on ... - Bank and Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Defraud the US, Obstruction of ..., and More\">ongoing political corruption investigation<\/a> that began more than three years ago,&rdquo; U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said in announcing the charges.<\/p>\n<p>According to prosecutors, four other individuals were charged in connection with the case, including Sean McCluskie, Becerra&rsquo;s former chief of staff at HHS. The indictment identifies McCluskie and three unnamed co-conspirators who allegedly helped divert the campaign funds and disguise the payments through shell business entities. Two additional defendants were separately charged by information in related cases unsealed Wednesday, reflecting what prosecutors described as an &ldquo;ongoing public corruption probe&rdquo; centered on Sacramento&rsquo;s political consulting circles.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/3884139\/gavin-newsom-takes-center-stage-un-climate-summit-trump-absence-cop30\/\">NEWSOM TAKES CENTER STAGE AT UN CLIMATE SUMMIT AMID TRUMP&rsquo;S ABSENCE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>FBI Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel called the case &ldquo;the result of three years of relentless investigative work,&rdquo; while IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen said Williamson &ldquo;disguised personal luxuries as business expenses&rdquo; to evade taxes.<\/p>\n<p>If convicted, Williamson faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the most serious counts, though a judge would determine any sentence under federal sentencing guidelines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FBI arrests ex-Newsom aide Dana Williamson on corruption charges<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2509950,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25309185350960_046b5a.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5175,51609,50645,3678,46278],"class_list":["post-2509949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-arrest","tag-chief-of-staff-2","tag-fbi-2","tag-newsom","tag-public-corruption"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25309185350960_046b5a.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2509949"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509949\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2509953,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509949\/revisions\/2509953"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2509950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2509949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2509949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2509949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}