Overview
- Prosecutors say trusted aides routed about $225,000 from an inactive Becerra campaign account to ex–chief of staff Sean McCluskie through $7,500 to $10,000 monthly transfers between 2022 and 2024.
- Two defendants, McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell, have pleaded guilty, and prosecutors say Dana Williamson is negotiating a plea.
- Becerra has not been charged and says he was misled by people he trusted.
- He says he approved payments to manage a dormant account to steer clear of the Hatch Act, which limits political activity by federal officials.
- Reporting shows the fees far exceeded his past campaign spending, which has intensified scrutiny of his oversight during the governor’s race.