A federal grand jury has indicted California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, on multiple corruption charges.

The public corruption probe includes “multiple charges of bank and wire fraud,” The Sacramento Bee reports.

Williamson, who left Newsom’s office in December 2024, is named along with several others “on a conspiracy to commit fraud related to funds in a dormant political campaign account for former US Congressman Xavier Becerra,” the outlet stated.

KTLA shared further info:

Williamson, 52, of Carmichael, has been charged with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing justice, as well as subscribing to false tax returns and making false statements. She pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

According to court documents, between February 2022 and September 2024, Williamson conspired with others to divert approximately $225,000 from a dormant political campaign to an associate’s personal use. The funds were funneled through various business entities and disguised as pay for a no-show job, federal prosecutors allege.

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The indictment also alleges that Williamson conspired with a business associate to create false, backdated contracts after receiving a civil subpoena in January 2024 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The subpoena was related to Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, loans made to Williamson’s business.

Williamson is also accused of subscribing to false tax returns that claimed more than $1 million in business deductions for personal and nondeductible expenses. These included private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, home furnishings, designer handbags, and payments for no-show jobs for friends and family, the Department of Justice said.

Williamson pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

There are 23 counts in total, with the bank and wire fraud charges each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

More from The Sacramento Bee:

Williamson, who was in custody pending a hearing after her arrest, is expected to make an initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in Sacramento federal court. Williamson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McCluskie and Campbell could not be immediately reached for comment.

Williamson, 53, was the third chief of staff to Newsom. Before joining his staff, she operated her own consulting firm, Grace Public Affairs, and was a senior aide to numerous California elected officials, including Govs. Jerry Brown and Gray Davis.

Federal officials allege that once Williamson joined the Newsom administration, she transferred control of the scheme to an unnamed co-conspirator, but remained involved the whole time.

A Newsom spokesperson distanced the governor from Williamson in a statement.

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“Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration,” the statement said. “While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity. At a time when the President is openly calling for his Attorney General to investigate his political enemies, it is especially important to honor the American principle of being innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of one’s peers.”

 

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