A 23-count indictment alleges that Dana Williamson conspired to defraud the U.S. government between 2022 and 2024.
SACRAMENTO—California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, was indicted by a federal grand jury on 23 charges related to public corruption, according to a Nov. 12 statement from the Department of Justice.
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant alleged that Williamson, 53, of Carmichael, California, committed bank and wire fraud, conspired to defraud the government and obstruct justice, filed false tax returns, and made false statements to investigators.
“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” Grant said in the statement. “As it always has, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.”
According to the charges, Williamson allegedly helped divert about $225,000 in funds from a “dormant political campaign” to an associate’s personal account using a money laundering scheme to fund a “no-show job” between February 2022 and September 2024.
She is also charged with conspiring to create illegitimate, backdated contracts to thwart a federal investigation into Paycheck Protection Loans made to a business he owned.
Williamson also allegedly filed false tax returns, deducting luxury purchases of home goods and handbags, as well as private jet flights and hotel stays, according to the indictment.
She helped lead Newsom’s office for nearly two years before being replaced in December 2024.
Newsom is not named in the indictment. The campaign accounts in question belong to an unnamed politician identified as “Public Official 1” in the charging documents.
The governor’s office reacted to the breaking news on Nov. 12.
“Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration,” a spokesperson for Newsom’s office told The Epoch Times by email. “While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity.”
Newsom’s office urged patience as the judicial process plays out.
“At a time when the President is openly calling for his Attorney General to investigate his political enemies, it is especially important to honor the American principle of being innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of one’s peers,” Newsom’s spokesperson said.
The indictment was returned on Nov. 7 but was kept sealed until Williamson was arrested on the morning of Nov. 12, according to the statement.
