Gavin Newsom’s Ex-Chief of Staff Arrested on Conspiracy Charges in Federal Fraud Case Involving $225K of Unused Campaign Funds

Dana Williamson, a former chief of staff to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, has been charged with multiple federal offenses, including conspiracy to commit fraud.

The 53-year-old political consultant was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstructing justice, filing false tax returns and making false statements, the United States Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Williamson appeared in court the same day, accompanied by her attorney Matthew Rowan, according to the Sacramento Bee. During the hearing before Magistrate Judge Carolyn Delaney, she responded only to the judge’s questions, posted her home as bond security, surrendered her passport, and agreed to regular check-ins with authorities. She entered a plea of not guilty, as reported by the Associated Press.

Following her arrest, Williamson was initially held pending a hearing but was later released on $500,000 bond, the Sacramento Bee reported.

Prosecutors claim her alleged misconduct occurred while she served in senior roles for multiple California political leaders. She joined Newsom’s administration in 2022 and remained on staff until around December 2024, according to the 23-count indictment.

Before working in the governor’s office, Williamson operated a public affairs and lobbying firm and had previously worked for former California Governors Jerry Brown and Gray Davis.

A spokesperson for Newsom emphasized that Williamson no longer works in the administration and stated that the governor expects the highest integrity from public officials, while noting the importance of due process in politically sensitive investigations.

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant called the charges “a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” adding that federal authorities will continue efforts to protect the public from corruption.

FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel confirmed that the case was developed in partnership with IRS Criminal Investigation after “three years of relentless investigative work.”

According to IRS-CI Oakland Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen, Williamson is accused of disguising personal luxury spending as business expenses. Court filings allege she and other individuals diverted approximately $225,000 from a dormant political campaign account belonging to former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, now a candidate for California governor, between February 2022 and September 2024.

The Sacramento Bee reported that others named in the indictment include Greg Campbell, Sean McCluskie, McCluskie’s spouse and one additional individual. McCluskie previously served as Becerra’s chief of staff.

Federal prosecutors say some of the misused funds were disguised as payments to McCluskie’s spouse for a “no-show” job and then transferred into an account McCluskie controlled. Williamson is also accused of working with an associate to create fraudulent contracts to obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans for her business.

The indictment alleges the funds — falsely described as payments for campaign consulting services — were actually spent on a $15,353 Chanel handbag, a $5,818 Fendi handbag and wallet, a private jet charter costing $21,175, a $15,662 luxury hotel stay for her birthday, an HVAC system for her home and other personal purchases.

If convicted, Williamson faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count related to bank and wire fraud and conspiracy; up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for counts involving obstruction and false statements; and up to three years in prison and a $100,000 fine for filing false tax returns.