Lead: On Nov. 12, 2025 in Sacramento, former Gov. Gavin Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson, 53, was federally indicted on allegations she helped steal $225,000 from a dormant campaign account tied to Xavier Becerra, who served as U.S. Health and Human Services secretary. A federal grand jury returned a 23‑count indictment alleging a scheme of monthly $10,000 payments beginning in late 2022 and continuing through fall 2024. Williamson pleaded not guilty in federal court and was released on $500,000 bail; two co‑defendants have already pleaded guilty. The case, announced by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant, has prompted statements from Becerra, Newsom’s office and federal investigators.
Key Takeaways
- Dana Williamson, 53, is charged in a 23‑count federal indictment alleging she helped divert $225,000 from a dormant Xavier Becerra campaign account via $10,000 monthly payments from late 2022 through fall 2024.
- Williamson pleaded not guilty on Nov. 12, 2025, and was released on $500,000 bail; court filings say she was on a hospital waiting list for a liver transplant at the time of arrest.
- Two co‑defendants, Greg Campbell and Sean McCluskie, pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy charges; public filings did not disclose the full terms of their plea agreements.
- Federal investigators opened related inquiries in September 2023 that included a review of a Paycheck Protection Program loan and possible improper tax deductions; the indictment alleges more than $1 million in false business tax deductions.
- Campaign filings show more than $74,000 in payments from the dormant Becerra account to Williamson’s firm, Grace Public Affairs, and later $10,000 monthly payments to a consulting firm run by Alexis Podesta, not named in the indictment.
- The indictment identifies Becerra as “Public Official 1” and notes McCluskie served as his chief of staff in 2022; filings do not charge Becerra or Newsom with wrongdoing.
Background
The investigation stems from activity first reviewed by federal authorities beginning in September 2023, during the Biden administration, when the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California began probing whether a Paycheck Protection Program loan was improperly obtained. Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general, became U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in March 2021 and was barred from using certain state campaign funds after entering federal service; those funds remained in a dormant campaign account set up in 2016.
Dana Williamson had been a longtime California political operative, serving as a senior aide to former governors and in PG&E public affairs before becoming Newsom’s chief of staff from 2023 until December 2024. The indictment alleges Williamson and others orchestrated a scheme to funnel monthly $10,000 payments from Becerra’s dormant account under the false pretense of monitoring services. Federal filings and campaign finance records show payments to Williamson’s Grace Public Affairs and later to a firm run by Alexis Podesta, who held senior state roles under Newsom and Brown.
Main Event
On Nov. 12, 2025, a federal grand jury in Sacramento returned a 23‑count indictment against Williamson charging conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud and related offenses tied to the alleged diversion of $225,000. Prosecutors say the scheme began in late 2022 with $10,000 monthly disbursements labeled as monitoring fees that were never performed, and that Williamson and co‑conspirators concealed the true purpose of the payments.
Williamson appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty; the judge set bail at $500,000 and she was released. Defense counsel McGregor Scott told reporters he had been contacted by prosecutors over a year earlier about a separate probe and said Williamson had no information implicating the governor. Scott also said he informed prosecutors that Williamson was on a waiting list for a liver transplant and posed no flight risk; nevertheless, an arrest warrant was issued.
Federal authorities have already secured guilty pleas from two other figures in the case: Greg Campbell, a former high‑ranking Capitol aide and lobbyist, and Sean McCluskie, identified in filings as a former chief of staff to Becerra. Their pleas, entered the prior week, covered conspiracy charges for bank and wire fraud; court records made public to date do not disclose whether those pleas include cooperation agreements or testimony commitments.
The indictment also alleges tax misconduct. An Internal Revenue Service agent involved in the investigation said prosecutors are alleging Williamson claimed more than $1 million in business deductions improperly — a claim prosecutors tied to the broader scheme to disguise personal or non‑business spending as business expenses.
Analysis & Implications
Legally, the case raises classic issues of campaign finance misuse and fraud: using dormant campaign accounts for undisclosed payments and inflating business expenses to mask transfers can lead to layered federal charges, as prosecutors allege here. The presence of guilty pleas by two co‑defendants increases the likelihood prosecutors will seek cooperating testimony, but that outcome remains unconfirmed in public filings. If cooperation is secured, prosecutors could use testimony to connect higher‑level actors to the transactions or to establish the scheme’s mechanics.
Politically, the indictment touches two high‑profile figures whose careers intersect with state and national politics. Becerra, now a 2026 gubernatorial candidate, has publicly said he cooperated voluntarily with investigators; the indictment does not charge him. Williamson’s close ties to Newsom — and her tenure as his chief of staff — create political optics complications for the governor, even though the indictment does not accuse Newsom of wrongdoing.
Institutionally, the case highlights gaps investigators say can exist between campaign account oversight and outside consulting arrangements. Dormant accounts held for potential future campaigns are not unique, and the alleged use of intermediaries and consulting firms to route payments illustrates techniques prosecutors often target in corruption inquiries. For state administrations and campaigns, the case may prompt stricter internal controls and more conservative use of dormant funds.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Amount/Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alleged total diverted | $225,000 | $10,000/month from late 2022–fall 2024 |
| Payments to Grace Public Affairs | $74,000+ | Campaign filings show payments to Williamson’s firm |
| Indictment counts | 23 felonies | Includes conspiracy, bank and wire fraud |
| Bail set | $500,000 | Williamson released after plea of not guilty |
The table above summarizes the core numeric elements prosecutors highlighted: the $10,000 monthly flow totaling $225,000, campaign filing entries to Williamson’s firm exceeding $74,000, and the 23 counts charged. These figures frame the criminal allegations and the immediate financial trail investigators followed in filings and public records.
Reactions & Quotes
Before and after the indictment, key actors issued statements emphasizing cooperation with investigators and the principle of due process.
“I have voluntarily cooperated with the US Department of Justice in their investigation, and will continue to do so,”
Xavier Becerra (statement)
Becerra’s statement acknowledged the allegation as a “gut punch” from a close aide; he emphasized his full cooperation and urged patience for the judicial process. The public filings list him as “Public Official 1” but do not allege he directed or benefitted from the payments.
“While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity,”
Izzy Gardon, Newsom spokesperson
Newsom’s office placed Williamson on leave when she disclosed an inquiry; the governor’s spokesperson reiterated the presumption of innocence and highlighted the administration’s expectation of ethical conduct. Newsom’s team said they were not aware of any federal probe involving the governor.
“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,”
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant (press release)
The U.S. Attorney framed the indictment as part of a multi‑year probe, noting coordination among agencies and criminal counts that reflect both fraud and tax allegations. Prosecutors also pointed to prior guilty pleas by Campbell and McCluskie as developments in the broader investigation.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Campbell’s and McCluskie’s plea agreements include cooperation or witness testimony against Williamson is not disclosed in public filings and remains unconfirmed.
- No public evidence currently shows Gov. Gavin Newsom was under federal investigation; Newsom’s office said it was not aware of any probe into the governor.
- Details of any potential civil or regulatory proceedings tied to the Paycheck Protection Program review or IRS tax allegations have not been made public and remain subject to further disclosure.
Bottom Line
The indictment of Dana Williamson centers on allegations of a coordinated effort to divert $225,000 from a dormant campaign account using monthly $10,000 payments that prosecutors say were pretense rather than for legitimate services. Two co‑defendants have pleaded guilty, which may increase prosecutorial leverage if cooperation agreements include testimony; however, those terms have not been publicly disclosed.
Politically and legally, this case underscores how campaign finance rules, tax law and anti‑fraud statutes intersect. For Becerra, who has confirmed cooperation and faces a 2026 gubernatorial campaign, the matter presents reputational risk even though he is not charged. For Williamson and other defendants, the coming months of plea negotiations, pretrial filings and potential testimony will determine whether prosecutors can prove the conspiracy allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.