Gavin Newsom and his \u201cpress office\u201d aides-gone-wild have been trying to mock President Donald Trump on social media for more than a year \u2014 regardless of the consequences for state-federal relations. <\/p>\n
But he can\u2019t laugh off the US Department of Justice probe<\/a> into his family\u2019s finances.<\/p>\n And while Newsom claims the investigation is politically motivated<\/a>, he knows it is serious.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why he and his inner circle are reportedly<\/a> starting to worry.<\/p>\n Gavin Newsom and his \u201cpress office\u201d aides-gone-wild have been trying to mock President Donald Trump. Getty Images<\/p>\n But he can\u2019t laugh off the US Department of Justice probe into his family\u2019s finances. CHRIS TORRES\/EPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Newsom knows the investigations go back to the Biden administration. <\/p>\n His former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, pleaded guilty last month in federal court in Sacramento to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.<\/p>\n Among other misdeeds, she and her co-conspirators stole money from the dormant state campaign account of Xavier Becerra, a left-wing Democrat who is now the favorite to succeed Newsom as governor.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Becerra has denied any knowledge of the crime; indeed, he claims he is a victim.<\/p>\n But part of the alleged scheme involved using Becerra\u2019s campaign money to supplement the salary of his own chief of staff when he was Biden\u2019s secretary of Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n How could these shenanigans go on under Newsom\u2019s nose?<\/p>\n Newsom knows the investigations go back to the Biden administration. REUTERS<\/p>\n Part of the answer is that Sacramento has a long history of tolerating corruption, thanks to one-party rule, the passive media, and a culture of mutual back-scratching.<\/p>\n For example, Democrat Darrell Steinberg presided over the state Senate at a time when several members were indicted and convicted for various crimes.<\/p>\n After failing to clean up that legislative body, he became a lobbyist, then ran for mayor of Sacramento \u2014 and won, serving until 2024.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> Newsom likewise escaped political consequences when he won a recall election in 2021 that was held after he hobnobbed, maskless, with lobbyists in the elite French Laundry restaurant in Napa during the coronavirus pandemic \u2014 after telling restaurants in the rest of the state to close down.<\/p>\n His now-infamous dinner speaks to poor ethical and political judgment, but also to the fact that Democrats in Sacramento fear no consequences for their actions.<\/p>\n Newsom also raised hundreds of millions of dollars for \u201ccharity\u201d through \u201cbehested payments\u201d in which he asked donors to contribute to nonprofit organizations of his choice.<\/p>\n Part of the answer is that Sacramento has a long history of tolerating corruption, thanks to one-party rule, the passive media, and a culture of mutual back-scratching. AP Photo\/Jeff Roberson<\/p>\n Though legal in California, these payments often suggest glaring conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n Some of the recipients have business before the state. One recipient organization was founded by his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. <\/p>\n It looks bad \u2014 yet it continues because Newsom and his party don\u2019t believe anyone will hold them accountable.<\/p>\n And they were right. Until now.<\/p>\n Newsom has coasted for most of his career, aside from personal scandals as mayor of San Francisco. His path to lieutenant governor was an easy one. And for eight years, he was Jerry Brown\u2019s heir apparent.<\/p>\n That is a long time to be in office, and it is a lot of power.<\/p>\n Newsom was happy to see federal prosecutors chase Trump and his associates for \u201cRussia collusion\u201d that never happened.<\/p>\n Now that he faces real questions, he\u2019s lawyering up. As he should.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t
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