Dana Williamson Pleads Guilty in Scheme Involving $225,000 From Xavier Becerra’s Dormant Campaign Account

Dana Williamson, who served as chief of staff to California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023 and 2024, pleaded guilty on May 14, 2026, to bank fraud, submitting a false tax return and making a false statement to federal agents. She faced a 23-count federal indictment.

Prosecutors will drop 20 of the 23 charges against her under the plea agreement. Williamson, Sean McCluskie and Greg Campbell conspired to divert $225,000 from Xavier Becerra’s dormant state campaign account. As part of the plea deal, Williamson, McCluskie and the other lobbyist jointly agreed to pay $225,000 in restitution to Becerra.

Williamson separately agreed to pay $500,000 in restitution to the IRS, for a total of $725,000. The scheme began prior to Williamson’s service as Newsom’s chief of staff. The investigation was launched during the Biden administration.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. McCluskie’s federal job offered a lower salary than his prior position.

He was splitting time between Washington and California where his wife and children remained. The conspirators charged Becerra’s dormant campaign account between $7,500 and $10,000 per month. The monthly charges were presented as payments for maintaining the account for legal compliance.

The funds were routed to McCluskie through a no-show job for his wife. The arrangement violated federal laws prohibiting federal employees from being involved in campaign activities. Williamson faced additional tax charges alleging she falsely deducted luxury goods and vacations as business expenses.