Dana Williamson, the former chief of staff to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, was arrested Wednesday on a sweeping set of federal charges tied to what prosecutors describe as a years-long financial scheme involving political funds, fraudulent tax filings, and the misuse of pandemic relief programs.
Federal prosecutors say Williamson and an associate conspired to illegally move “approximately $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign” by channeling the money through a network of business entities and disguising it as payment for a no-show job.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California said the alleged conduct occurred between February 2022 and September 2024, overlapping almost entirely with Williamson’s tenure as Newsom’s highest-ranking aide.
Williamson served as Newsom’s chief of staff from 2022 until the end of 2024, giving her sweeping influence inside the governor’s office and making her one of the most powerful unelected figures in California government, Politico reported.
Before joining the Newsom administration, Williamson served in senior roles under former Gov. Jerry Brown, including positions as a top advisor and cabinet secretary.
Williamson, 53, was indicted by a federal grand jury on an extensive list of charges, including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of justice, subscribing to false tax returns, and making false statements to the FBI.
Authorities say the indictment is the product of a multiyear investigation led by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Federal investigators allege that after receiving a civil subpoena in early 2024 related to Paycheck Protection Program loans obtained by one of her businesses, Williamson worked with a business partner to create fake and backdated contracts in an attempt to conceal improprieties.
According to prosecutors, Williamson also claimed more than $1 million in fraudulent business deductions on her tax filings, masking personal expenditures as legitimate company costs.
Investigators say those disguised expenses included private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, and high-end designer handbags.
The Sacramento Bee, which first reported the charges, said Williamson “is named along with Greg Campbell, Sean McCluskie and two others… there are 23 counts in total; the 18 bank and wire fraud charges each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.”
