- Public Corruption
- Nov 5, 2026
Gavin Newsom's Chief Of Staff PLEADS GUILTY As Newsom Ally WORE An FBI Wire Against Her
Dana Williamson ran Governor Gavin Newsom's office for about two years. In May 2026 she pleaded guilty to three federal felonies: conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and lying to the FBI. She faces up to 38 years in prison. Prosecutors say about $225,000 was diverted from a dormant campaign account belonging to Xavier Becerra.
How the $10,000-a-month payments worked, according to prosecutors and the defense The tax charges and the false-statements count What her lawyer says the FBI wanted, and what the governor's office says The plea deal, the sentencing delays, and the impact on Becerra's run for governor Newsom and Becerra have not been accused of any wrongdoing. Prosecutors describe Becerra as a victim. Newsom's office says there is no evidence the recordings were connected to the governor.
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Presumption of innocence
In July, her own lawyer said a longtime Democratic consultant and Newsom appointee, Alexis Podesta, had been secretly recording conversations for the FBI since as early as June 2024. Podesta's attorney confirmed she cooperated with federal investigators. She has not been charged.
Sources
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California (indictment, Nov. 2025; plea, May 2026) · court filings · CalMatters · KCRA 3 · ABC10 · CBS News Sacramento · KTLA · FOX40.
