"The FBI was secretly listening last year when a high-ranking advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom unleashed a stream of profanities as she vented about a public records request from an unnamed individual. "Double f- her!" said Dana Williamson, Newsom's chief of staff, repeating the f word throughout the conversation. She also called another person an "a-," according to federal court documents made public this week."
"Before Wednesday, few people outside of California's political bubble likely knew Williamson's name. Now she's engulfed in a scandal involving political consultants and illicit payments that threatens to haunt her former boss, Newsom, as he challenges President Trump and looks toward the 2028 presidential race. A smart and savvy negotiator who bridged Sacramento's overlapping worlds of government, business and labor, Williamson is also someone who picked unnecessary fights and launched cruel missives, political consultants and friends said this week."
"Federal prosecutors allege that she conspired to funnel money out of one of her one-time client's state campaign accounts for bogus services, and falsified documents related to her COVID loan. She also is accused of lying on her tax returns about luxury items and services, including a $150,000 birthday trip to Mexico, that she allegedly sought to pass off as business expenses, according to the government."
Dana Williamson served as chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom and operated at the intersection of government, business and labor. The FBI secretly recorded her using profanities while discussing a public records request. Federal agents arrested Williamson at her Carmichael home; her lawyer said she was seriously ill and needed a liver transplant. Prosecutors allege she conspired to funnel campaign funds for bogus services, falsified documents tied to a COVID loan, and lied on tax returns to mask luxury expenses, including a $150,000 birthday trip to Mexico. Williamson pleaded not guilty and appeared solemn in Sacramento court.
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