Executive Summary
- Dana Williamson, a former chief of staff to Governor Gavin Newsom, was arrested and pleaded not guilty to a 23-count federal indictment.
- Charges include a scheme to embezzle approximately $225,000 from a campaign account of gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra.
- The FBI conducted secret surveillance and recorded meetings where Williamson and co-conspirators allegedly attempted a cover-up.
- Two co-conspirators, Sean McCluskie and Kerry MacKay, have already admitted to their involvement in the alleged scheme.
- Williamson was released on restrictive bail, which includes an order to abstain from alcohol consumption.
Dana Williamson, a former chief of staff for California Governor Gavin Newsom, has pleaded not guilty to a 23-count federal indictment following her arrest on charges of corruption, tax fraud, and wire fraud. Federal prosecutors allege Williamson, 53, orchestrated a scheme to embezzle approximately $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra and illegally obtained COVID-19 relief loans.
According to court records, Williamson was under FBI surveillance while serving as the governor’s top aide from 2022 to 2024. The investigation revealed she allegedly conspired with Sean McCluskie, a former top official in the California Attorney General’s Office, and his wife, Kerry MacKay, to funnel money from Becerra’s campaign through fraudulent consulting contracts. McCluskie and MacKay have since admitted their roles in the scheme.
The indictment details that the FBI secretly recorded meetings in 2024 where Williamson and the McCluskies allegedly attempted to coordinate a cover-up after Williamson learned she was under investigation. “Collectively, they funneled the money through various business entities and disguised it as pay for what was, in reality, a no-show job,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel in a statement.
In addition to the campaign finance allegations, Williamson is accused of improperly writing off $1 million in personal expenses—including vacations and luxury goods—on her federal income tax returns and fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended for pandemic relief.
Following her not guilty plea in Sacramento, Williamson was released on a restrictive bail package that requires her to surrender her passport and refrain from consuming alcohol. Both Governor Newsom and Xavier Becerra, who is currently campaigning for governor, have denied any knowledge of the alleged scheme and are not named as targets in the investigation.
Williamson faces multiple federal charges and is now awaiting further legal proceedings. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.