{"id":342265,"date":"2026-06-02T01:32:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T01:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/342265\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T01:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T01:32:18","slug":"steyer-ad-sparks-legal-dispute-with-becerra-in-california-governor-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/342265\/","title":{"rendered":"Steyer ad sparks legal dispute with Becerra in California governor race"},"content":{"rendered":"

CALIFORNIA, USA \u2014 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra is weighing legal action against rival Tom Steyer’s campaign after a new attack ad suggested Becerra could be at risk of criminal indictment.<\/p>\n

The ad, released Sunday by Steyer’s campaign, references a federal case involving Becerra’s former chief of staff, Sean McCluskie, and former advisor Dana Williamson. The two recently pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to siphon $225,000 from a dormant campaign fund for personal gain.<\/p>\n


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When asked whether he had filed a lawsuit against Steyer’s campaign over the ad, Becerra said legal options remain under consideration.<\/p>\n

“If we’re talking about that deceptive ad that lies about my record Tom Steyer put out, we were in touch with his campaign. I don’t believe we filed, but we continue to keep all legal recourse in mind,” Becerra said.<\/p>\n

Becerra, one of the leading Democratic candidates for governor, said voters should be skeptical of campaign attacks.<\/p>\n

“When you see these late last-minute hits that distort someone’s record, think twice,” Becerra said.<\/p>\n

Becerra has not been charged with a crime and is not facing any charges.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, an attorney for Becerra’s campaign sent a cease-and-desist letter to Steyer’s campaign demanding a retraction and threatening a lawsuit. Although no lawsuit had been filed as of Monday, Becerra said the possibility remains.<\/p>\n

“We haven’t dropped any options that are on the table for us. Again, a lie is a lie,” Becerra said.<\/p>\n

If a lawsuit is filed, Becerra could potentially have a viable case, according to Chris Micheli, an adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law.<\/p>\n

“California’s elections code actually specifies that a candidate who willfully and knowingly allows or directs a libelous or slanderous comment to be made can actually be liable financially for those statements,” Micheli said.<\/p>\n

During an event at UCLA on Monday, Steyer was asked about Becerra’s legal threats and defended the ad.<\/p>\n

“Look, going around the state, people have been worried that Xavier Becerra could get indicted after the fact, and that could throw this race in a bad way for Democrats. That’s all that ad says,” Steyer said.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, Steyer’s campaign sent a letter to Becerra’s campaign rejecting the allegations in the cease-and-desist letter, encouraging legal action and saying it would make their day. A spokesperson for the campaign also said voters should be aware of questions being asked about what Becerra knew and when he knew it.<\/p>\n

With the election approaching, it remains unclear whether the dispute will affect voters. Micheli said the outcome could influence how candidates use similar campaign attacks in the future.<\/p>\n

“It could pave the way for whoever else is running in November to potentially use it or be prohibited from using a similar campaign attack,” Micheli said.<\/p>\n

Again, Becerra is not facing any charges. McCluskie is facing five years in prison, while Williamson is facing up to 30 years in prison.<\/p>\n

More from ABC10: California candidates campaign statewide in final hours before primary<\/a><\/p>\n

ABC10: Watch, Download, Read<\/p>\n


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