California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff was arrested Wednesday and charged with plotting with accomplices to swipe $225,000 from an inactive political campaign and funnel it straight into a friend’s pocket, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Dana Williamson, 53, is now facing a sweeping 23-count federal indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, defrauding the United States, obstructing justice, filing false tax returns, and lying to authorities, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.

Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff Dana Williamson was arrested Wednesday and charged with plotting with accomplices to swipe $225,000 from inactive political campaigns and funnel it straight into a friend’s pocket. AP

“Today’s charges are the result of three years of relentless investigative work, in partnership with IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said in a statement.

“The FBI will remain vigilant in its efforts to uncover fraud and corruption, ensuring our government systems are held to the highest standards.”

Dana Williamson, 53, is now facing a sweeping 23-count federal indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, defrauding the United States, obstructing justice, filing false tax returns, and lying to authorities. Governor Gavin Newsom

Prosecutors said Williamson, who was Newsom’s top aide from 2022 until December 2024, plotted with registered lobbyist Greg Campbell, federal employee Sean McCluskie, and two others to siphon money from a dormant campaign account into McCluskie’s for personal use between February 2022 and September 2024.

The idle account allegedly belonged to former US Congressman Xavier Becerra, who McCluskie, also named in the indictment, had served as chief of staff for several years, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The indictment alleges that while McCluskie was Becerra’s chief of staff, Williamson funneled $10,000 per month into an account he controlled, disguised as faulty payments to his wife after her accused co-conspirator expressed a “desire to have more money” while working for the former congressman.

The idle account allegedly belonged to former US Congressman Xavier Becerra, who McCluskie, also named in the indictment, had served as chief of staff for several years, the Sacramento Bee reported. studiodr – stock.adobe.com

Prosecutors said the funds were routed through multiple business entities and falsely labeled as pay for a “no-show” job that did not exist.

The court filings also allege that Williamson created fake contracts to obtain COVID loans for her company and filed false tax returns, claiming over $1 million in personal expenses — including private jet travel, luxury hotels, home furnishings and designer handbags — as business deductions.

She is also accused of sharing government information with a company involved in litigation with the Golden State and then lying about it to the FBI, according to the indictment.

Before joining Newsom’s inner circle, Williamson ran her own consulting firm, Grace Public Affairs, and served as a senior aide to a string of California heavyweights, including Govs. Jerry Brown and Gray Davis, The Sacramento Bee reported.

California Governor Gavin Newsom attends a press conference, during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), in Belem, Brazil, November 11, 2025. REUTERS

“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 Newsom spokesperson told The Post.

“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.”

Newsom is not mentioned in the court filings. 

Williamson, pictured right, is also accused of sharing government information and then lying about it to the FBI. Governor Gavin Newsom

Williamson is expected to appear at a federal courthouse in Sacramento on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

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If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” US Attorney Eric Grant said.

“As it always has, the US Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.”