Fmr Newsom top aide admits guilt in fraud scheme, takes plea deal
OAN Staff Jenna Lee
2:53 PM – Thursday, May 14, 2026
Dana Williamson, a former top aide to California Governor Gavin Newsom, pleaded guilty to federal fraud and tax charges as part of a plea deal agreement following accusations that she stole campaign funds from gubernatorial candidate and former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Williamson, who served as former chief of staff for the California governor from 2022 to 2024, appeared at the Robert T. Matsui Courthouse in Sacramento, California on Thursday. While there, she entered a guilty plea to charges including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to Eastern District of California court documents.
“Dana Williamson and her co-conspirators weaponized public trust for personal gain. They stole from a campaign account, fabricated contracts, filed false tax returns, and lied to federal agents … No title and no political connection places anyone above the law,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel in a statement.
The former aide was arrested last November on 23 counts tied to what prosecutors described as a scheme to steal $225,000 from one of Becerra’s dormant campaign accounts to fund her personal expenses, including a $150,000 birthday trip to Mexico, tens of thousands of dollars spent on Chanel and Fendi handbags and an HVAC system for her home.
Prosecutors also accused her of conspiring with Becerra’s former chief of staff Sean McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell to move the money from Becerra’s dormant account to pay for McCluskie’s wife’s no-show job after Becerra was elected head of the HHS under former President Joe Biden, according to prosecutors.
“These conspirators, three of whom are former public officials, shockingly looted campaign funds for personal benefit. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue working to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that those who scorn the law are held accountable,” read U.S. Attorney Eric Grant’s statement.
Prosecutors did not suspect Becerra of any wrongdoing, but the scandal has cast a shadow over his campaign as he is frontrunner in the Democrat field for California governor. He has denied knowledge of Williamson’s financial moves, but faced sharp questions regarding his ties to the probe.
He addressed the probe by stating he is “moving forward” and “everyone will be accountable for their actions,” after a Monday rally in response to questions about whether he was certain about his lack of involvement in the scandal.
A status hearing on Williamson’s case was repeatedly delayed, her attorney McGregor Scott claiming that he needed more time to review materials with her as she makes her recovery from a liver transplant.
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