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.

She pleaded guilty to one of the tax charges. 5 to 3 years under federal guidelines for the fraud charge.

Sentencing for Dana Williamson has not yet been scheduled. Williamson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 2026 but is likely to be delayed due to her recovery from a liver transplant. U.S.

Attorney, said he will argue against sending her to prison. Scott added that Williamson proceeded with the payments after McCluskie told her he had Becerra’s approval. “We don’t have any direct knowledge of any communication or what was said between McCluskie and Becerra,” Scott said.

“Mr. McCluskie represented to Williamson that he had talked with Mr. ” Xavier Becerra is a leading candidate for California governor in 2026. The primary election is scheduled for late May 2026.

Becerra has said he cooperated with investigators. “As I said from Day One, I was not involved, I did nothing wrong,” Becerra said in a statement. “And now the record confirms it.