politics
Governor praised chief of staff before guilty plea in federal fraud case
The governor issued a statement praising the chief of staff's service when she departed in December 2024. She had been interviewed by federal investigators the prior month and was later charged with multiple counts.
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A governor praised a departing chief of staff for her service to the state in a December 2024 statement, even though she had already been interviewed by federal investigators the month before. The chief of staff, who had served as a liaison to lawmakers, labor unions and business interests, left the office after being placed on leave.
She pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return and making false statements to investigators.
Investigation timeline Federal investigators interviewed the chief of staff in November 2024. She was placed on leave and departed the following month. A federal grand jury indicted her in November 2025 on 23 counts that included bank and wire fraud, obstruction of justice and false statements.
Additional details A former co-worker described the chief of staff as having a reputation for being reckless and a bully. The governor's office has characterized the broader investigation as a fishing expedition. Investigators have examined the governor, his staff and his wife's taxes over the past year, according to sources familiar with the matter.
No public link has been established between the chief of staff's case and any separate inquiry involving the governor.
