SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A former high aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been indicted on federal expenses alleging her involvement in a scheme to steal marketing campaign cash from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Dana Williamson was arrested and was scheduled to make her first courtroom look Wednesday in Sacramento. It was not instantly clear if she had an lawyer who might communicate on her behalf.
The federal indictment lists 4 different co-conspirators. It alleges that Williamson was a part of a scheme involving Sean McCluskie, who was Becerra’s chief of workers on the time of the alleged conduct.
Becerra is a former California lawyer normal who was appointed well being secretary by former President Joe Biden. He isn’t implicated within the indictment.
The indictment alleges that Williamson and McCluskie took cash from Becerra’s dormant marketing campaign account and funneled it to McCluskie, about $225,000 over a interval of greater than two years.
Williamson was Newsom’s chief of workers from late 2022 till late 2024.
“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,” a spokesperson for Newsom stated in a press release.
Becerra couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.
The investigation started greater than three years in the past, FBI Sacramento Particular Agent in Cost Sid Patel stated in a press release. Meaning it began underneath the Biden administration.
Williamson faces 23 expenses together with conspiracy to commit financial institution and wire fraud, financial institution fraud, conspiracy to defraud the USA and impede justice, subscribing to false tax returns and making false statements, the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace stated.
If convicted she might withstand 20 years in jail.
Williamson is a longtime Democratic energy participant in Sacramento. She was a Cupboard secretary for former Gov. Jerry Brown earlier than opening her personal political affairs agency. She was additionally Becerra’s marketing campaign supervisor when he ran for lawyer normal in 2018, and she or he later rejoined state authorities as Newsom’s chief of workers.
