SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
A former top aide to Governor Gavin Newsom, Dana Williamson, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly participating in a scheme to embezzle campaign funds from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Williamson, who was Newsom’s chief of staff until late 2024, was arrested and scheduled to make her initial court appearance in Sacramento. It is unclear whether she has retained legal counsel.
The federal indictment names four co-conspirators and alleges that Williamson worked alongside Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s former chief of staff, to divert approximately $225,000 from Becerra’s inactive campaign account over more than two years.
According to prosecutors, Williamson used her political consulting firm to bill Becerra’s campaign for fictitious services, funneling the funds to McCluskie through his wife. When Williamson joined Newsom’s office in late 2022, an unnamed former official took over her role in the scheme.
Williamson also faces charges for allegedly falsifying business contracts related to PPP loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is accused of creating retroactive contracts to claim eligibility for loan forgiveness.
Federal authorities say Williamson filed fraudulent tax forms from 2021 to 2023, claiming over $1 million in business deductions for personal expenses, including luxury handbags, jewelry, private jet travel, Mexican vacations, a home HVAC system, and payments to relatives for fake jobs.
McCluskie signed a plea deal on Oct. 30, agreeing to pay $225,000 restitution and plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed Williamson faces 23 charges, including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, defrauding the U.S., obstructing justice, and filing false tax returns. Conviction could carry up to 20 years in prison.
In response, a spokesperson for Governor Newsom said:
“Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration. While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity.”
The investigation, led by the FBI Sacramento office, began over three years ago, under the Biden administration.
Williamson is a longtime Democratic political operative in Sacramento, having served as a Cabinet secretary under former Governor Jerry Brown, Becerra’s campaign manager in 2018, and later joining Newsom’s administration.
