{"id":2609608,"date":"2026-06-02T13:38:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T17:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/steve-hilton-vows-to-investigate-newsom-for-fraud-if-elected-california-governor-2\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T13:39:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T17:39:13","slug":"steve-hilton-vows-to-investigate-newsom-for-fraud-if-elected-california-governor-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/steve-hilton-vows-to-investigate-newsom-for-fraud-if-elected-california-governor-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Hilton vows to investigate Newsom for fraud if elected California governor"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/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%2Fsteve-hilton-vows-to-investigate-newsom-for-fraud-if-elected-california-governor-2%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=2609608&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>Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, said that if elected he would order the creation of a \u201cTaxpayer Fraud Strike Force\u201d to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/comer-high-profile-names-expected-to-be-deposed-in-impeachment-inquiry\/\" title=\"Expect &#039;High-Profile&#039; Individuals to be Deposed in Impeachment Inquiry\">investigate alleged corruption<\/a> and fraud by current Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state officials. Hilton argued that Newsom had been warned by state auditors and agencies about billions allegedly stolen and failed to act, and he said the task force would focus on possible criminal negligence and potential prosecution.<\/p>\n<p>The announcement comes as Tuesday\u2019s nonpartisan primary approaches, where Hilton is competing for a top-two finish alongside Democrat Xavier Becerra and billionaire Tom Steyer. Polls show a tight and shifting race: one survey has Hilton and Steyer tied while Becerra trails, and another shows Becerra slightly ahead with the others close behind. Under California\u2019s system, the two highest vote-getters-regardless of party-advance to the general election.  <\/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<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California<\/a> gubernatorial candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/steve-hilton\/\">Steve Hilton<\/a> this week promised he would investigate Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA) for fraud if he wins his Republican bid to become the Golden State\u2019s next leader.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton is one of three candidates viewed as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-quotes-potential-vp-pick-as-reported-shortlist-gets-smaller-the-other-side-is-so-frightened\/\" title=\"Trump Quotes Potential VP Pick as Reported Shortlist Gets Smaller - &#039;The Other Side Is So Frightened&#039;\">top contenders heading<\/a> into Tuesday\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4588596\/california-primary-races-governor-mayor\/\">nonpartisan primary<\/a>. Two Democrats, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4583438\/tom-steyer-historic-spending-ca-campaign-marginal-poll-gains\/\">Tom Steyer<\/a>, rival Hilton in a tight race to make it to the top-two finish, and seek to succeed Newsom in November\u2019s general election.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4590847\/los-angeles-addicted-failure-guy-benson\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Los Angeles \u2018addicted to failure\u2019: Guy Benson on LA mayoral race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4590606\/hilton-becerra-steyer-final-pitch-california-governor-primary\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Hilton, Becerra, and Steyer make final pitch in California\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/los-angeles-addicted-to-failure-guy-benson-on-la-mayoral-race\/\" title=\"Los Angeles &#039;addicted to failure&#039;: Guy Benson on LA mayoral race\">chaotic marquee race<\/a> for governor<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4589166\/nancy-mace-posts-endorsement-photo-trump-after-he-picked-opponent\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Nancy Mace posts endorsement-like photo with Trump after he picked her opponent<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/live-news\/republicans-democrats-state-primary-elections-california-los-angeles-june-2\">told<\/a> Fox News Digital Monday that if elected governor, his first executive order would create a \u201cTaxpayer Fraud Strike Force\u201d to probe suspected corruption and mismanagement in California\u2019s government.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton arrives for a final Election Day campaign event Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Huntington Beach, Calif. (AP Photo\/Scott Strazzante)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is Day 1 of the new administration. We\u2019re going to clean house in California,\u201d Hilton said. \u201cGavin Newsom will be top of our target list because for years Newsom was warned by the state auditor, by other state agencies, his own state agencies, that billions of dollars were being stolen, and he did nothing about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat we\u2019re going to be investigating with this executive order, setting up a task force, a strike force to look at criminal prosecution, is whether there was criminal negligence on the part of Gavin Newsom and other state officials,\u201d Hilton added, after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4569842\/steve-hilton-becerra-california-governor-debate\/\">previously warning<\/a> Becerra and Newsom were implicated in their former aide\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4569842\/steve-hilton-becerra-california-governor-debate\/\">corruption scandal<\/a>. \u201cAnd if there was, then they will be prosecuted.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Polling paints a blurry picture of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ga-republicans-launch-stop-stacey-effort-ahead-of-possible-abrams-2022-announcement\/\" title=\"GA Republicans Launch \u2018Stop Stacey\u2019 Effort Ahead Of Possible Abrams 2022 Announcement\">gubernatorial race<\/a> as voters cast their ballots on Tuesday. Hilton, an adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/116680557948272372\">who holds<\/a> President Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement, is among Republicans vying to flip the governor\u2019s mansion red for the first time since 2011.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4569130\/former-newsom-chief-of-staff-pleads-guilty-corruption-charges\/\"><strong>FORMER NEWSOM CHIEF OF STAFF PLEADS GUILTY ON CORRUPTION CHARGES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4590606\/hilton-becerra-steyer-final-pitch-california-governor-primary\/\">most recent survey<\/a> from McLaughlin &#038; Associates has Hilton and Steyer tied at 25%, with Becerra trailing at 19%. The most recent Emerson poll has Becerra in the lead at 28%, with Steyer and Hilton at 23%. California\u2019s system sends the top two vote-getters in the primary to the general election regardless of party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood luck today to my friend Steve Hilton, who is running to become the next governor of California,\u201d Vice President JD Vance wrote Tuesday<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jdvance\/status\/2061828682155536523?s=46&#038;t=qm9OfoOnC3GdQKSechPSjQ\"> in a post<\/a> to X. \u201cHe\u2019s a good guy and I encourage everyone to get out there and support him. California is such a beautiful state\u2013it just needs better political leadership!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Steve Hilton vowed to investigate Gov. Newsom for fraud if elected<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2609609,"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\/2026\/06\/AP26153577347818.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[37666,42812,32742,51159,44966],"class_list":["post-2609608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-california-politics","tag-fraud-investigation","tag-gavin-newsom","tag-gubernatorial-election","tag-steve-hilton"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26153577347818.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609608","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\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2609608"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609608\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609612,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609608\/revisions\/2609612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}