Newsom's ex chief of staff accused of stealing campaign funds from former health secretary Becerra

A political consultant who formerly worked as chief of staff for California Gov.

A political consultant who formerly worked as chief of staff for California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been indicted on fraud and tax crime charges, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Dana Williamson, 53, of Carmichael, California, was arrested Wednesday morning. She was charged in a 23-count indictment with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns and making false statements.

The investigation into the “political corruption” scheme started more than three years ago, said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant of the Eastern District of California.

Williamson, along with co-conspirators, diverted over $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign to an associate’s account for personal use between February 2022 and September 2024, prosecutors alleged in a news release.

Williamson served as Newsom’s chief of staff from late 2022 through December 2024, according to the indictment.