Gavin Newsom's former Chief of Staff Dana Williamson was arrested Wednesday morning for 23 charges and for plotting to steal 225K and “give it to a friend”. A number of her charges include conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, defrauding the United States, obstructing justice, filing false tax returns and lying to authorities. As well as participating in a scheme to funnel money out of a political campaign and to a personal account for personal use. U.S Attorney Eric Grant claims this was a crucial step to cracking down on the political corruption that started 3 years ago.
Court documents name Sean McCluskie as the “friend” the money was to be funneled to. He was the former Chief of Staff for Xaiver Becerra, a former U.S Health and Human service secretary. The scheme, allegedly starting in 2022, worked by Williamson charging Becerra's political campaign for services that never existed. Williamson was Newsom's Chief of Staff starting in 2022 until late 2024, before being let go for several allegations that are still being investigated.
