Dana Williamson, the former chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom, has been indicted on 23 counts of fraud and corruption by the Department of Justice, alleging she orchestrated a scheme to embezzle $225,000 from political funds. According to court documents, Williamson conspired with Sean McCluskie, the former chief of staff to former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, to funnel the money to McCluskie’s wife through a ‘no-show job.’ The charges include conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, defrauding the United States, obstructing justice, and filing false tax returns.
The scheme allegedly began in April 2022, with Williamson using her political consulting company to bill Becerra’s campaign for services that were never performed. While she prepared to join Newsom’s administration in late 2022, she arranged for an unnamed former public official to take over her role in the scheme. The Justice Department emphasized that the investigation, which began during the Biden administration, underscores the importance of upholding integrity in public service. While the indictment does not mention Newsom, it highlights the broader implications of political corruption in the state.
Williamson’s legal team has yet to comment publicly, but a Newsom spokesperson stated that the governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity. The case also involves allegations that Williamson conspired with a business associate to create false, backdated contracts after receiving a civil subpoena in January 2024 regarding PPP loans made to her business. The DOJ’s stance reinforces the importance of accountability in public office, especially during a period of heightened scrutiny of political figures for potential misconduct.