Dana Williamson, a prominent California Democratic strategist with ties to Governor Gavin Newsom and gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, pleaded guilty on Thursday to fraud charges. The plea stems from a scheme to steal $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to Becerra, who was not named in the plea deal.
Federal authorities say Williamson conspired to divert the funds to Sean McCluskie, Becerra's chief of staff, by disguising the payments as salary to McCluskie's spouse for work that was never performed. McCluskie had taken a pay cut to join Becerra when he became US health secretary in 2021.
Becerra has denied any knowledge of the scheme, but his rivals in the governor's race have seized on the scandal. Billionaire Tom Steyer said the plea shows Becerra 'likely broke state law' and is 'at the centre of an ongoing criminal investigation.' Former congresswoman Katie Porter called Becerra 'too big of a risk' for voters.
In addition to the fraud charge, Williamson pleaded guilty to making false statements about the scheme and filing false tax returns, claiming approximately $1.7 million in personal expenses as business deductions. She faces up to 38 years in prison, with sentencing set for July.
