The Democrats have some skeletons in their closet. But secrets don’t stay safe forever.
And now Gavin Newsom’s Chief of Staff got taken away in handcuffs for a breathtaking reason.
Exposing Deep-Rooted Political Graft
Federal agents arrested Dana Williamson, 53, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, on Wednesday amid a sweeping FBI probe into public corruption, slapping her with multiple counts of bank and wire fraud that allegedly drained taxpayer-linked funds for personal gain.
Authorities laid out charges against Williamson for orchestrating a scheme to siphon $225,000 from former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s inactive state campaign account between February 2022 and September 2024, routing the cash through a web of fake invoices to a personal account held by co-conspirator Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s ex-chief of staff.
The three-year DOJ investigation, kicked off under the Biden administration, uncovered backdated contracts that unlocked illicit COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program loans, alongside fraudulent tax filings from 2021 to 2023 where Williamson claimed over $1 million in bogus deductions for extravagances like luxury handbags, private jet jaunts, and high-end accessories—hallmarks of how insider access breeds unchecked abuse.
“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” U.S. Attorney Eric Grant emphasized.
“As it always has, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.”
FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel echoed the probe’s roots in Biden-era scrutiny, while IRS Special Agent Linda Nguyen warned, “Disguising personal luxuries as business expenses — especially to claim improper tax deductions or to willfully file fraudulent tax returns is a serious criminal offense with severe consequences.”
Becerra, blindsided, called the revelations “a gut punch” to KCRA 3, insisting on the presumption of innocence.
Mounting Charges and Broader Implications
Williamson faces a staggering 23 counts, from conspiracy to commit fraud and defraud the United States to obstructing justice, false tax returns, and deceptive statements to investigators—potentially netting up to 20 years per bank or wire fraud count, five years for obstruction and lies, and three years for tax fraud, plus fines reaching $250,000 each.
Even after ascending to Newsom’s top aide in 2022—where she vowed to sever ties with her consulting firm—communications with McCluskie allegedly persisted deep into her tenure, ending only in late 2024.
Named co-conspirators include McCluskie, his wife, lobbyist Greg Campbell, and an unnamed ex-official dubbed “Co-Conspirator 2,” with federal filings hinting at pressure on Williamson to implicate higher-ups, including Newsom, though she reportedly refused. Newsom’s office distanced itself: “Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration,” a spokesperson stated.
“While we are still learning details of the allegations, the governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity.”
Yet the scandal casts a long shadow over Sacramento’s insider networks, where Williamson’s history as a Jerry Brown-era Cabinet secretary and Becerra campaign operative underscores how revolving doors enable such graft, eroding public trust and demanding relentless accountability to safeguard democracy from elite self-dealing.
