SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dana Williamson, a high-ranking aide to California Governor Gavin Newsom, has been indicted for her alleged role in a scheme that involved misappropriating approximately $225,000 from the dormant campaign fund of former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Williamson, arrested on federal charges, will appear in court in Sacramento. The nature of the charges has not yet revealed whether she has secured legal representation.
The indictment implicates Williamson alongside several co-conspirators, including Sean McCluskie, who served as Becerra’s chief of staff during the purported scheme.
In free of any misconduct allegations, Becerra, a former California Attorney General, was appointed to his federal role by President Joe Biden.
The alleged misconduct began in April 2022 when Williamson, through her consulting firm, began billing Becerra’s campaign for services which supposedly never took place. This money was then reportedly funneled to McCluskie’s wife for non-existent work.
As Williamson transitioned to her new role in Newsom's office in late 2022, she allegedly arranged for another unnamed public official to take over her operations in the fraudulent scheme.
Following Williamson's absence from the administration, a spokesperson for Governor Newsom said the governor expects all public servants to maintain the highest integrity standards.
The investigation, which was initiated over three years ago, is said to have started during the Biden administration, as noted by the FBI. Williamson now faces 23 charges, which include conspiracy, bank fraud, and filing false tax returns. If convicted, she could face up to two decades behind bars.
As a well-known figure in Sacramento's Democratic landscape, Williamson previously held significant roles, including cabinet secretary under former Governor Jerry Brown and campaign manager for Becerra when he ran for attorney general.
The scandal comes at a time when transparency and integrity in political dealings are under heightened scrutiny.
