Exclusive | Disgraced ex-Gavin Newsom aide breaks silence as corruption trial looms

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s disgraced former chief of staff Dana Williamson has broken her silence as she prepares for court on criminal charges involving alleged tax fraud and a plot to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds.

“I’m recovering,” Williamson told the California Post from her home on Friday, referencing a liver transplant she underwent earlier this year that has caused delays in her case.

She declined to comment further before closing the door.

Federal prosecutors alleged in a 23-count indictment filed in November that Williamson was part of a scheme to steal roughly $225,000 from a dormant campaign account tied to former US Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, who’s now running for California governor.

Prosecutors say the money was routed through consulting entities and disguised as legitimate payments.

Williamson, who was Newsom’s top aide from 2022 until December 2024, allegedly collaborated during this time with registered lobbyist Greg Campbell and Sean McCluskie, a former Becerra staffer. Both men have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud.

Williamson, the governor’s former right hand, is also accused of filing false tax returns that claimed more than $1.7 million in business expenses.

In her 2022 tax return, Williamson allegedly made $861,000 in false business deductions. The actual expenses involved a $156,000 birthday trip to Mexico, including a yacht rental; more than $12,000 on Chanel earrings and a shopping bag; and nearly $8,000 on a Gucci bag and wallet, according to prosecutors.

Williamson also allegedly spent more than $10,000 on a trip to a California theme park and more than $35,000 on a family law attorney. 

She had almost $700,000 in false business deductions for her 2023 tax return, according to the indictment, including $213,000 in payments to two relatives for “no-show” jobs.

Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Fresno) suggested the allegations against Williamson and her co-conspirators show how “Sacramento is pervaded by a culture of corruption.”

Following her arrest, Newsom told KCRA he was “still processing” the allegations against Williamson, and he initially wondered if the arrest was politicized by the Trump administration.

He said he had been made aware of an FBI probe looking into Williamson late last year and placed her on leave.

However, Politico noted in a report that Newsom praised Williamson’s “insight, tenacity, and big heart” in a send-off message, making no mention of the FBI probe.

Before joining Newsom’s inner circle, Williamson ran her own consulting firm, Grace Public Affairs, and reportedly served as a senior aide to past governors Jerry Brown and Gray Davis.

Sacramento officials were stunned last week to learn that Williamson received $50,000 on her way out the door, using roughly $30,000 in unused vacation time to remain on California’s payroll seven weeks after the governor’s office confirmed her departure.

Williamson also received a lump-sum payment of about $22,000 for remaining unused vacation hours.

US Attorney Eric Grant said the charges against Williamson and her alleged co-conspirators were “a crucial step” in an ongoing political corruption investigation that started three years ago.

“As it always has, the US Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.”

The charges against Williamson include conspiracy, bank and wire fraud, false statements and tax-related offenses. Her case will be back in court April 16, and she could face up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines if found guilty.

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