According to an indictment filed by federal prosecutors, Dana Williamson was the former chief of staff for California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Williamson who left the Governor’s Office in December 2024 is charged with conspiring against political insiders Greg Campbell, Sean McCluskie and others to commit bank and wire fraud. Feds claim the group faces 23 charges in total, 18 of which carry up to a 20-year sentence and fines as high as $250,000.
On Wednesday, she’s scheduled to appear before the federal court at Sacramento. Williamson didn’t respond to an inquiry for comment. McCluskie, Campbell and their legal advisors could not be reached.
Williamson allegedly remained involved in the plan even after she joined Newsom’s government. She allegedly transferred control of the scheme to another collaborator, but stayed behind the scenes.
Newsom’s Office did not waste any time in distancing Newsom from the Scandal.
“Ms. Williamson is no longer employed by this administration, a spokesperson confirmed. While we’re still figuring out the details, Governor Williamson expects that all public employees uphold high standards of integrity. “At a time where the President has publicly asked his Attorney General for an investigation of his political opponents, it’s important to respect the American principle that you are innocent until proven to be guilty by a jury consisting of your peers in court,” said his office.
McCluskie is implicated as well. She was a longtime aide of former California Attorney-General Xavier Becerra, who’s now running for Governor. Williamson, along with her accomplices, are accused of stealing $225,000 between February 2022 and September 2024 from Becerra’s dormant account.
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In addition, the indictment accuses Williamson to have fabricated business expenses for extravagant personal expenditures such as luxury Mexican vacations, jewelry and handbags and high-end furniture.
Williamson is a veteran Sacramento player who has served as a power broker for three California Governors, Jerry Brown, Gray Davis and Newsom. She also runs her own consultancy, Grace Public Affairs. She was known for having sharp elbows, political knowledge and a presence in the Capitol. However, tensions surrounding Proposition 36 forced her to step down.
Williamson’s December farewell struck a nostalgic note: “It is always difficult to leave the work we do, but it’s been two years and in that time, we have made an impact.” When asked about what I would miss most after serving three governors, I always say the same thing: the opportunity to work with the brightest and most dedicated people that I have ever met.
Campbell, the owner of a lobbying company called Campbell Strategy & Advocacy allegedly assisted in funneling stolen campaign money through different accounts for McCluskie. Prosecutors claim that the cash was disguised to be salary paid to McCluskie’s wife in her “no show” job.
According to the filings, McCluskie approved payments of $7,500 per month for “consulting services” made by Williamson. This kickback scheme, investigators believe, netted about $225,000 in revenue for the group.
Indictment lists also a shopping spree with phony expenses — $15,000 for a Chanel bag and ring; $19,000 for an HVAC system for the home; $10,000 for a relative and $21,175 to travel by private jet — which were all claimed falsely as business costs.
Prosecutors claim that the total amount of tax fraud exceeded $1 million.
These charges came less than one year after Newsom appointed Nathan Barankin as his chief aide, replacing Williamson, who was a former Kamala Harris advisor.
