Becerra's consultant to plead guilty to skimming campaign funds

Dana Williamson, a veteran California political consultant and former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom, agreed to plead guilty to three counts, including bank fraud and lying to the FBI. The federal government will dismiss 20 other counts tied to tax filings and a federal COVID-era loan. A court hearing is scheduled. Prosecutors allege Williamson and others siphoned money from Xavier Becerra’s dormant campaign account and funneled it to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s then-chief of staff. Prosecutors say McCluskie needed the money to travel frequently to see family while working in Washington, D.C. Williamson and another consultant allegedly billed Becerra’s account up to $10,000 per month for managing a dormant state campaign account, which Becerra approved despite not paying similar amounts before.

"Dana Williamson will plead guilty to three counts, including bank fraud and lying to the FBI. In exchange, the federal government will dismiss 20 other counts against her related to her tax filings and a federal COVID-era loan she received. A court hearing is scheduled Thursday morning. Williamson, a former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom, was arrested in November and pleaded not guilty. The government secured guilty pleas in December from two advisors who worked with alongside her to skim money from Becerra."

"Prosecutors say that Williamson, Becerra's then-chief of staff Sean McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell took part in a scheme to siphon money from Becerra's dormant campaign account and funnel it to McCluskie. McCluskie needed the money, according to prosecutors, so he could afford to fly home frequently to see his family in California while working for Becerra, who was Biden's health secretary, in Washington, D.C."

"As part of the scheme, Williamson and another consultant charged Becerra's account up to $10,000 a month to manage one of his dormant state campaign accounts. Becerra approved the payments, even though he had never paid such a high amount for a similar job. He told The Times that McCluskie told him to pay the fees."

"The case against her and a looming plea deal have taken center stage in the California governor's race as rivals seek to tie the charges to Becerra, who is a Democratic front runner. He hasn't been charged, and prosecutors paint him as a victim. Becerra's rivals in the governor's race are hammering him over his decision, arguing he should have known something wasn't right. Becerra has said that he didn't know about the criminal"

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