Greg Campbell, a well-known California lobbyist and former top aide to several state legislative leaders, pleaded guilty Thursday to his role in a political corruption case that also involves the top aides to Gov. Gavin Newsom and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Federal prosecutors have said Campbell helped the other ex-aides, Dana Williamson and Sean McCluskie, take $225,000 in campaign funds from an inactive campaign account for Becerra and funnel the money to McCluskie’s personal account. Investigators said separately from that crime, Campbell also helped Williamson, Newsom’s ex-top aide, falsify documents as she was being investigated for improperly taking COVID-19-era small business loans. | RELATED | Who are the people involved in the California political corruption case?As part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Campbell on Thursday pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States Government. McCluskie, who also had a plea agreement, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud. Campbell faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. Prosecutors in court on Thursday said they would recommend the lower end of the penalties. “Mr. Campbell has accepted the consequences of the plea,” Todd Pickles, Campbell’s attorney, told reporters after the hearing. “Throughout his life, including in business and as a public servant, Mr. Campbell will remain focused on his family and making positive contributions to the community.” Campbell did not make any comments himself and would not answer repeated questions from KCRA 3 as he left the courthouse, including questions surrounding his lobbying activity and whether he continued politically consulting companies after he was indicted in November. Williamson has a court date scheduled for Dec. 11. Unlike McCluskie and Campbell, she does not have a plea agreement and faces 23 counts. When asked if he had a message for her, Campbell remained tight-lipped. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Greg Campbell, a well-known California lobbyist and former top aide to several state legislative leaders, pleaded guilty Thursday to his role in a political corruption case that also involves the top aides to Gov. Gavin Newsom and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Federal prosecutors have said Campbell helped the other ex-aides, Dana Williamson and Sean McCluskie, take $225,000 in campaign funds from an inactive campaign account for Becerra and funnel the money to McCluskie’s personal account.

Investigators said separately from that crime, Campbell also helped Williamson, Newsom’s ex-top aide, falsify documents as she was being investigated for improperly taking COVID-19-era small business loans.

| RELATED | Who are the people involved in the California political corruption case?

As part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Campbell on Thursday pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States Government. McCluskie, who also had a plea agreement, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud.

Campbell faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. Prosecutors in court on Thursday said they would recommend the lower end of the penalties.

“Mr. Campbell has accepted the consequences of the plea,” Todd Pickles, Campbell’s attorney, told reporters after the hearing. “Throughout his life, including in business and as a public servant, Mr. Campbell will remain focused on his family and making positive contributions to the community.”

Campbell did not make any comments himself and would not answer repeated questions from KCRA 3 as he left the courthouse, including questions surrounding his lobbying activity and whether he continued politically consulting companies after he was indicted in November.

Williamson has a court date scheduled for Dec. 11. Unlike McCluskie and Campbell, she does not have a plea agreement and faces 23 counts.

When asked if he had a message for her, Campbell remained tight-lipped.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel