Greg Campbell, a well-connected political consultant and lobbyist in California, told friends and clients he plans to shut down his business after being accused of federal crimes. (Watch previous coverage in the video player above.)Campbell is facing charges after allegedly helping Gov. Newsom’s former Chief of Staff, Dana Williamson, organize a scheme to help steal money from former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s inactive political campaign account. He’s also accused of helping Williamson falsify documents as she was being investigated for improperly taking COVID-19-era small business loans. See who else is involved here. Before last week’s indictment, Campbell lobbied for major companies at the California State Capitol, including Amazon, Major League Baseball, TikTok, United Healthcare and many more. Campbell, on Wednesday, emailed clients, colleagues and friends a lengthy goodbye, stating that he would end all of his lobbying activity and that of his business Campbell Strategy & Advocacy, according to three sources who provided Campbell’s email to KCRA 3. “If this past week caused any of you stress, pressure, or unwanted attention, I am truly sorry. I have helped many of you through difficult moments, and I know how quickly situations like this can create challenges. I never want to put any of you—or the organizations you serve—in that position. Stepping away is the most responsible thing I can do,” Campbell wrote. Campbell was also a co-founder of a political consulting alliance called The Collaborative with Williamson. Its members include Bearstar Strategies, which has run Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaigns. The Collaborative is also managed by another former top aide of Newsom’s, Jim DeBoo. Campbell wrote that he was working with his business partners to “dissolve” The Collaborative “as quickly as possible, in a way that protects employees and meets all obligations.” Campbell’s attorney, Todd Pickles, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday night. Prior to his lobbying and consulting work, Campbell was a top aide to five California Assembly Speakers, including serving as chief of staff to Toni Atkins and John Perez. Campbell’s full email is below: Friends,I am writing to let you know that I am ending all lobbying activity by me and by Campbell Strategy & Advocacy. None of the charges against me involve my lobbying, consulting, or advocacy work, nor did I or my staff receive any financial benefit from anything related to them. Still, it has become clear that the right thing for my clients, my employees, and those who have supported me is to step away and make a clean break.Representing you over the past ten years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply grateful for the trust, opportunities, and partnership we shared, and I am proud of the work we accomplished together.This decision comes down to two values that have guided me my entire career: loyalty and accountability.If this past week caused any of you stress, pressure, or unwanted attention, I am truly sorry. I have helped many of you through difficult moments, and I know how quickly situations like this can create challenges. I never want to put any of you—or the organizations you serve—in that position. Stepping away is the most responsible thing I can do.I also feel tremendous loyalty to the women who have worked beside me for nearly a decade. They are dedicated, talented, single-income earners who had absolutely no role in any of this, yet have felt the impact. Stepping aside gives them the chance to rebuild without the burden of my circumstances.To the friends who have stood by me: thank you. But I also know I have become a distraction, and I do not want anyone to face scrutiny simply for offering me support. I have been knocked down before and I will get up again, but right now I need to move on.As for accountability, you know that when things went well, I celebrated with you, and when they didn’t, I owned it. While none of the charges relate to my work for you, I strive every day to be better and do better. I didn’t meet that standard here, and I accept that.Over the next few days, I will be moving out of my office, winding down remaining contracts, and completing all deregistration and termination filings. I am also working with my partners to dissolve the Collaborative as quickly as possible, in a way that protects employees and meets all obligations.Thank you again for the privilege of working with you. I appreciate and respect each of you and wish nothing but good things for you and the organizations you represent.With affection and love for all of you, I say goodbye.Greg CampbellKCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Greg Campbell, a well-connected political consultant and lobbyist in California, told friends and clients he plans to shut down his business after being accused of federal crimes.

(Watch previous coverage in the video player above.)

Campbell is facing charges after allegedly helping Gov. Newsom’s former Chief of Staff, Dana Williamson, organize a scheme to help steal money from former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s inactive political campaign account. He’s also accused of helping Williamson falsify documents as she was being investigated for improperly taking COVID-19-era small business loans. See who else is involved here.

Before last week’s indictment, Campbell lobbied for major companies at the California State Capitol, including Amazon, Major League Baseball, TikTok, United Healthcare and many more.

Campbell, on Wednesday, emailed clients, colleagues and friends a lengthy goodbye, stating that he would end all of his lobbying activity and that of his business Campbell Strategy & Advocacy, according to three sources who provided Campbell’s email to KCRA 3.

“If this past week caused any of you stress, pressure, or unwanted attention, I am truly sorry. I have helped many of you through difficult moments, and I know how quickly situations like this can create challenges. I never want to put any of you—or the organizations you serve—in that position. Stepping away is the most responsible thing I can do,” Campbell wrote.

Campbell was also a co-founder of a political consulting alliance called The Collaborative with Williamson. Its members include Bearstar Strategies, which has run Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaigns. The Collaborative is also managed by another former top aide of Newsom’s, Jim DeBoo.

Campbell wrote that he was working with his business partners to “dissolve” The Collaborative “as quickly as possible, in a way that protects employees and meets all obligations.”

Campbell’s attorney, Todd Pickles, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.

Prior to his lobbying and consulting work, Campbell was a top aide to five California Assembly Speakers, including serving as chief of staff to Toni Atkins and John Perez.

Campbell’s full email is below:

Friends,

I am writing to let you know that I am ending all lobbying activity by me and by Campbell Strategy & Advocacy. None of the charges against me involve my lobbying, consulting, or advocacy work, nor did I or my staff receive any financial benefit from anything related to them. Still, it has become clear that the right thing for my clients, my employees, and those who have supported me is to step away and make a clean break.

Representing you over the past ten years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply grateful for the trust, opportunities, and partnership we shared, and I am proud of the work we accomplished together.

This decision comes down to two values that have guided me my entire career: loyalty and accountability.

If this past week caused any of you stress, pressure, or unwanted attention, I am truly sorry. I have helped many of you through difficult moments, and I know how quickly situations like this can create challenges. I never want to put any of you—or the organizations you serve—in that position. Stepping away is the most responsible thing I can do.

I also feel tremendous loyalty to the women who have worked beside me for nearly a decade. They are dedicated, talented, single-income earners who had absolutely no role in any of this, yet have felt the impact. Stepping aside gives them the chance to rebuild without the burden of my circumstances.

To the friends who have stood by me: thank you. But I also know I have become a distraction, and I do not want anyone to face scrutiny simply for offering me support. I have been knocked down before and I will get up again, but right now I need to move on.

As for accountability, you know that when things went well, I celebrated with you, and when they didn’t, I owned it. While none of the charges relate to my work for you, I strive every day to be better and do better. I didn’t meet that standard here, and I accept that.

Over the next few days, I will be moving out of my office, winding down remaining contracts, and completing all deregistration and termination filings. I am also working with my partners to dissolve the Collaborative as quickly as possible, in a way that protects employees and meets all obligations.

Thank you again for the privilege of working with you. I appreciate and respect each of you and wish nothing but good things for you and the organizations you represent.

With affection and love for all of you, I say goodbye.

Greg Campbell

KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.