Newsom’s former chief of staff takes plea deal
Dana Williamson, a longtime Sacramento power player, was indicted in a federal corruption case last year, accused of helping to siphon campaign funds from Xavier Becerra.
Dana Williamson, Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff, leaves the federal courthouse in downtown Sacramento on Nov. 12, 2025. | Lindsey Holden/POLITICO
SACRAMENTO, California — Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff on Thursday accepted a plea deal in a federal public corruption case in which she is accused of funnelling campaign funds from Xavier Becerra to the former Health and Human Services secretary’s aide.
Dana Williamson — a longtime Sacramento power player who suffered a humiliating fall from grace when she was indicted in November — pleaded to three counts related to campaign finance fraud, lying to the FBI and filing a false tax return, according to Eastern District of California court documents.
Williamson, wearing a white blazer and dark sunglasses, appeared at the federal courthouse in Sacramento Thursday morning to enter the plea. The deal came after months of negotiations, which included an initial offer from the government, a counter from Williamson, and then the resulting compromise, prosecutors said.
Under sentencing guidelines judges must consult, Williamson could face around three years in prison. The final decision will be made by the judge, who has authority to sentence her above or below what is called for in the guidelines.
The case has become a growing political liability for Becerra, the Democratic frontrunner in the California governor’s race. Becerra has not been accused of wrongdoing, and the indictment against Williamson said the conspirators hid the scheme from him because “they believed, correctly, that [Becerra] would not have the permitted payments if [he] had known the truth.” But his opponents have been increasingly highlighting the corruption case in campaign ads and cable TV hits.
Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, another Democratic contender, recently suggested on CNN, without evidence, that a plea deal could name Becerra, saying “there’s no reason to take a risk” by supporting him.
The alleged scheme saw Williamson siphon campaign funds from Becerra’s state campaign account to pad the salary of his chief of staff, Sean McCluskie. McCluskie and another alleged co-conspirator, lobbyist Greg Campbell, accepted plea deals around the time Williamson was indicted and are scheduled for sentencing on June 4.
“As part of an investigation that began in 2022, Williamson joins the two others who were charged in the ‘Conduit Scheme’ conspiracy in pleading guilty,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant in a statement. “These conspirators, three of whom are former public officials, shockingly looted campaign funds for personal benefit. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue working to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that those who scorn the law are held accountable.”
Plea deal documents filed Thursday morning note that Williamson and her co-conspirators made “false statements” to Becerra about the purpose of the funds being siphoned from his account.
“My client has told me from day one she never had any direct communication with Xavier Becerra about this,” Williamson’s lawyer, McGregor Scott, told reporters after the hearing. He said the plan was the brainchild of McCluksie, Becerra’s longtime chief.
Becerra’s campaign said that it was now time to “close the book” on insinuations that Becerra was legally vulnerable.
“Dana confirmed what we’ve been saying from day one. She lied. And now the record confirms it,” Jonathan Underland, a campaign spokesperson, said on X.
But Tom Steyer, who is Becerra’s closest rival among Democrats in the gubernatorial race, showed no signs of letting up in the immediate aftermath of the plea deal.
“The case is not over with Williamson’s guilty plea,” Steyer said in a statement. “The facts remain that if Xavier Becerra had knowledge of the scheme’s purpose, he could find himself a co-conspirator in the case — and because federal rules prevent prosecutors from bringing charges within 60 days of an election, Democrats could find themselves facing an electoral nightmare in November.”
Newsom, who was presenting his final budget proposal at the same time Williamson appeared in court, said that news of her plea deal is “hard” but said he did not know the details.
“I just think of her daughter, but also mindful of accountability. We’ve all got to be held to the letter of the law and accountable,” Newsom said.
Under the deal, Williamson must pay roughly $500,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for false business deductions on her 2023 tax return, including purported wages to family members, veterinary services and home goods. She and her co-conspirators must also pay back the $225,000 they had stolen from Becerra’s dormant campaign account.
Williamson originally was facing 23 counts. Federal prosecutors had also accused Williamson of lying to investigators about Covid-19 business loans and counting luxury purchases as tax-deductible business expenses.
Williamson’s sentencing was initially scheduled for July 9, but it’s likely to be delayed. Scott told reporters he expects sentencing to take place sometime in September or October.
Chief District Judge Troy L. Nunley allowed her to stay out of custody, at least until she is sentenced, as she recovers from a liver transplant.
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