FBI case against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff rocks Sacramento
The news, coming in on upturned phones, raised eyebrows and had people turning in their seats to catch one another’s eyes.
The reporting, first broken by The Sacramento Bee, that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff had been indicted on political corruption charges dropped like a bomb at the Sacramento Press Club luncheon Wednesday.
“Everybody kind of found out at the same time,” said Republican strategist Tim Rosales, who was speaking on a panel of political consultants. “Friends of friends, or people in the business or reporters or whatnot, are texting with, ‘Hey, have you seen this?’ ”
Newsom’s chief from 2022 to 2024, Dana Williamson, was arrested Wednesday in a public corruption probe that includes multiple charges of bank and wire fraud. The scheme she’s been accused of is wide ranging, and Xavier Becerra’s former Chief of Staff Sean McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell were named as co-conspirators. Williamson pleaded not guilty to the 23 crimes she was charged with, and was released on a $500,000 bond.
In his plea, McCluskie agreed with the facts of the case as described by the FBI, and Campbell pleaded guilty to the two charges he was accused of.
Newsom’s office immediately distanced itself from the scandal.
“Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration,” the statement read. “While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity. 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.”
Becerra said he was cooperating with the FBI investigation.
“The news today of formal accusations of impropriety by a long-serving trusted adviser is a gut punch,” he said. “As California’s former attorney general, I fully comprehend the importance of allowing this investigation and legal process to run its course through our justice system.”
At Wednesday’s luncheon, the last question of the Q&A broke the news to anyone who wasn’t aware. A man asked whether or not political scandals still had their old salience, and referenced Williams’ arrest.
Panelist Duane Dichiara, a Republican lobbyist, said scandals could still be wrecking balls.
“My view is that really the best way to bust up a political machine is to point out its corruption,” he said. “And they usually are.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Governor Newsom is always looking for that parade and then asking to be the grand marshal.”
— Tim Rosales, at the aforementioned Press Club luncheon, regarding Newsom’s time in the climate spotlight at COP30 in Brazil
BEST OF THE BEE
CalPERS expands climate investments. Some groups want more transparency via William Melhado
Is Rep. Ami Bera a shoo-in for the redrawn Sacramento House district? via David Lightman
Gavin Newsom: Democrats need to recast climate change as ‘affordability’ issue via Lia Russell
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 4:55 AM.