Ex-Gavin Newsom Aide Indicted for Alleged $225,000 Theft

UPDATE: Dana Williamson, the former chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom, has been federally indicted on serious charges of stealing $225,000. The indictment, announced today, alleges that Williamson and several accomplices conspired to siphon funds from the political campaign account of former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.

Williamson, aged 53, reportedly served as Newsom’s chief of staff from 2023 until December 2024. Alongside her, Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s former chief of staff, and lobbyist Greg Campbell are implicated in this scheme. The group allegedly devised a plan to extract money under “false pretenses,” with payments intended for McCluskie’s wife, who was supposed to oversee the account. However, no such services were delivered.

The payments began in late 2022, amounting to $10,000 per month until they ceased in the fall of 2024. The total stolen reached $225,000, according to the indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of California.

In addition to theft, Williamson is accused of filing fraudulent tax returns, claiming over $1 million in business deductions for personal expenses, which included private jet travel, luxury hotels, and designer goods. If convicted, she faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years for each count of bank fraud and conspiracy, along with hefty fines.

In a statement regarding the allegations, Becerra expressed his shock:

“The news today of formal accusations of impropriety by a long-serving trusted advisor are a gut punch. I have voluntarily cooperated with the US Department of Justice in their investigation and will continue to do so.”

Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, clarified that Williamson no longer holds a position within the governor’s office. “While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity,” Gardon stated.

As this story develops, the implications of these accusations are significant for California’s political landscape. The indictment raises questions about the integrity of public service and the accountability of those in leadership roles. Stay tuned for more updates as this case unfolds.