"Williamson was charged with bank and tax fraud for allegedly siphoning campaign and COVID-19 recovery funds into her and an associate's pockets and claiming personal luxuries as business expenses on tax forms. According to the indictment, the campaign funds were drawn from a dormant state account of another top California Democrat: gubernatorial candidate and former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra."
"As Gov. Gavin Newsom flew around the country last year campaigning for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his chief of staff Dana Williamson - known as one of California's toughest political insiders - was not only helping to helm the ship in Sacramento, but under criminal investigation by federal law enforcement. The resulting criminal case, which splashed into public view with Williamson's arrest Wednesday, does not implicate Newsom in any wrongdoing."
As Gov. Gavin Newsom campaigned nationally, his chief of staff Dana Williamson was under federal criminal investigation. Williamson was arrested and charged with bank and tax fraud for allegedly siphoning campaign and COVID-19 recovery funds into her and an associate's pockets and claiming personal luxuries as business expenses. The indictment alleges some campaign funds came from a dormant state account tied to Xavier Becerra. Two other well-connected state aides were charged and entered plea deals confirming the scheme, while a third appeared as an uncharged co-conspirator in charging documents. Newsom's office said Williamson was placed on leave in November 2024 and that Newsom is not implicated. Williamson's attorney said federal authorities had approached her more than a year earlier seeking help with a probe of the governor.
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