Gov. Gavin Newsom put his former chief on leave when he learned a year ago that she was under criminal investigation, according to his office.
Dana Williamson, who was indicted on public corruption charges Wednesday, was interviewed by the FBI in November 2024, while still working as Newsom’s top aide. She left the governor’s office a month later.
At the time, Williamson was hailed by her allies as the governor’s “political assassin” in the state Capitol for her bare-knuckled approach. In a send-off statement, Newsom lauded “her insight, tenacity, and big heart.”
Newsom had known for a month that Williamson had been questioned by the FBI, according to his office, and immediately put her on leave. Her last day in the office was in November, but she officially left the administration the following month.
The indictment alleges that Williamson made multiple false statements in her interview with the feds, an act that is among one of the 23 charges she now faces.
She pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to all charges, which include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. Williamson is accused, along with two other California consultants, of fraudulently transferring money from a dormant campaign account belonging to Xavier Becerra, now a gubernatorial candidate.
The indictment alleges Williamson and a former Becerra aide led Becerra to believe the money was being used for campaign consulting expenses. In a statement, Becerra called the formal charges a “gut punch” and said he had voluntarily cooperated with the investigation.
The two other consultants, Greg Campbell and Sean McCluskie, entered plea agreements last week in which they agreed to pay $225,000 in restitution.
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