The chief of staff of Gov.
According to the miracle of counting 23, unbanned Wednesday, Dana Williamson conspiracies of Becerra’s former chief deputy attorney Sean McCluskell, and Lobbyist Greg Campbell
Williamson, 53, walked into a courtroom in Sacramento on Wednesday afternoon looking like a monster, wearing a bulky gray hoodie. He started to be composed but he could be heard crying a little as it happened. He pleaded guilty to the charges and did not give a statement.
Williamson, McCluskie and Campbell are said to have used shell companies to funnel money to campaign funds beginning in early 2022, when Ceberra served as secretary of health and human resources under President Biden.
“The news today of systematic allegations of impropriety against a longtime trusted advisor is punch gutch,” Cerra said in a statement. “I have willingly cooperated with the US Department of Justice in their investigation, and I will continue to do so. As California’s Attorney General, I fully understand the importance of allowing the investigation and legal process to take its course through our justice system.”
The bulk of those payments went to McClusken’s wife, then a stay-at-home mom, for a bogus job, state authorities allege. McCluken pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud and cooperating with the authorities, court filings show.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Steve Maviglio, a Democratic consultant who has known Williamson for more than two decades and Campbell is about the same. “Both are the best at what they do. They know the rules, which is why this seems like a no-brainer.”
Preckles of Campbell’s Atld Pickles said his client has “taken full responsibility for his actions and is fully cooperating with the legal process.”
“I know Greg Campbell to be a respected public servant and a privileged and respected member of the community who has conducted himself with integrity through this very difficult process,” Chinder said.
In addition to Becerra’s Campaign Fund, Williamson was charged with forging documents to waive Covid-Era small business loans and claiming Design business funds and business expenses on his tax returns.
Among her competing entries: Williamson reportedly shopped for a $15,353 Chanel bag and a $5,818 Fendi Wallet; he was kicked out of a $150,000 birthday trip to Mexico, where he filmed an $11,000 yacht cruise; billed for a $21,000 jaunt on a private jet; and dropped more than $10,000 at a confusing California theme park.
The Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, was part of a federal dollar relief effort designed to help Americans and small businesses during the 19 pandemic.
Williamson was released Wednesday on a $500,000 bond. Judge Carolyn Delaney ordered him to provide a DNA sample, submit to a drug test, surrender his passport and give up any firearms in his possession. He gave Williamson until November 26 to endure the tower.
The news of the anti-indictment case could also affect the 2026 race in California, which will be an open seat as the documents of Question Becerra launched a campaign for the Statehouse, as well as other prominent democrats including former rep. Katie Porter and former Angel Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
While Cecerra is not accused of wrongdoing in this case, having his name linked to the Sacramento Offers accused of political corruption could hurt his career.
The case could also cause problems for Newsom, who has publicly stated that he is considering a possible run for President in 2028. Even though the allegations are tied to Williamson’s job, Republicans and other political rivals can exploit his top advisers.
Williamson is known as an experienced political operator in Sacramento and Chant-Talking Enforlar for Newloom. He joined the Governor’s office in early 2023 and left late last year.
Former secretary of Gov. Jerry Brown also used to work for DOV from Gray Dav.
“I have had the honor of working under three governors and when asked what I will miss most, my answer is always the same – the privilege of working with the most intelligent and grateful people I have ever known,” he said at the time.
He left his job at the promotion last December.
“Ms. Williamson is no longer active in this administration,” said a spokeswoman for the governor’s office. “While we are still studying the details of the allegations, the governor expects all public servants to support the enemies of the highest loyalty. It is very important to respect the attorney of the country to intervene for the innocent until they are found in a peer court.”
Newlom has been in Brazil since Sunday, starting with the Global Investors Symbosium in São Paulo before flying nearly 1,800 miles north to the Conference of the Nations known as Cop30.
On Wednesday morning, before the news of the charges against Williamson, he left the conference with a wonderful trip to Amazon Raini, where he and a small team will board another plane and go by boat to visit the first promotions and projects to reduce the climate.
NewsOm said they are willing to testify “what I have only seen on TV or what I have seen disappear in my life,” explaining the anxiety he felt during the fire of Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and the hope he hopes to find in the restoration work.
Federal authorities said the surprise came after another three-year investigation, which began during the bidding process.
“Today’s charges are the result of three years of tireless investigative work, in cooperation with criminal investigations by the IRS and the US attorney’s office,” said FBI Special Agent Sacramento in charge of Patel. “The FBI will remain fully engaged in its efforts to detect deception and fraud, to ensure that our government systems are operated to the highest standards.”
