SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A former top aide to California Governor Gavin Newsom, Dana Williamson, has been indicted on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. The indictment claims Williamson was involved in a scheme to misappropriate campaign funds from Xavier Becerra, the former federal Health Secretary. Williamson was arrested and made her initial court appearance in Sacramento. The allegations include having set up a system with another co-conspirator, Sean McCluskie, who was Becerra’s chief of staff, to illegally siphon approximately $225,000 from Becerra's dormant campaign account over two years. The funds were allegedly funneled to McCluskie and then diverted to his wife for non-existent services billed to Becerra's campaign.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has detailed 23 charges against Williamson, which also encompass obstruction of justice and false statements. If found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in prison. Previously, Williamson served as Newsom's chief of staff and played a significant role in California's Democratic politics, having worked with former Governor Jerry Brown and managed Becerra's 2018 attorney general campaign. A spokesperson for Newsom stated that Williamson no longer serves in his administration and emphasized the expectation of integrity from public servants. The investigation, lasting over three years, began under the Biden administration, indicating a thorough probe into the political affair at hand.