Overview
- Dana Williamson, a former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, a false tax return, and making false statements.
- Under the plea, prosecutors will dismiss 20 other counts, and she agreed to pay $225,000 to Xavier Becerra’s campaign and $500,000 to the IRS, with sentencing expected in July.
- Prosecutors say she and allies siphoned about $225,000 from a dormant Becerra campaign by billing $10,000 a month for supposed account maintenance and routing the money to his then–chief of staff.
- Two co-defendants, Sean McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell, pleaded guilty last year and are set for sentencing on June 4.
- Becerra has not been charged and is described by prosecutors as a victim, yet rivals are pressing the case during a primary that ends June 2 to question his judgment.