FBI Notifies California Governor's Inner Circle of Surveillance
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has dispatched formal notification letters to multiple members of California Governor Gavin Newsom's inner circle, revealing they were subject to surveillance during a corruption investigation targeting his former chief of staff. The development comes shortly after Dana Williamson, who served as Newsom's top aide from early 2023 until autumn 2024, faced 23 felony charges for allegedly conspiring to divert $225,000 of campaign funds to another staff member.
Widespread Surveillance During Investigation
According to reports from The New York Times, a handful of Newsom's current and former aides received the ominous letters immediately after Williamson was formally charged. The FBI is legally required to inform individuals when they have been subject to surveillance, though this doesn't necessarily indicate they were targets of the investigation.
The surveillance operation spanned between May 2024 and July 2024, during which communications for all involved parties were intercepted. The notifications have created significant unease within California political circles, with longtime Republican strategist Rob Stutzman telling The Times that people are on edge and questioning whether this represents the full extent of the investigation.
The Alleged Corruption Scheme
Williamson, a longtime Democratic power broker in California, stands accused of participating in a complex scheme to skim money from the campaign account of Xavier Becerra, a former Democratic congressman now running to become California's next governor. The alleged conspiracy involved Williamson using her political consulting company to bill Becerra's dormant campaign account, purportedly to pay McCluskie's wife for monitoring services.
Prosecutors claim there is no record that McCluskie's wife was ever hired to perform such work, despite Williamson allegedly authorising $10,000 monthly payments. The scheme reportedly began when McCluskie assumed the role of Becerra's chief of staff in 2022 and continued until autumn 2024.
Sean McCluskie, a longtime top aide to Becerra during his congressional and California Attorney General tenure, pleaded guilty on October 30 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. He agreed to pay $225,000 in restitution to Becerra. Greg Campbell, another known lobbyist involved in the case, also signed a plea deal admitting to conspiracy charges.
Political Fallout and Responses
Governor Newsom himself has not been named in the case and faces no allegations of involvement or knowledge of the crimes. Upon learning of the federal investigation, Newsom's office placed Williamson on leave in November 2024, with her formally resigning one month later.
Newsom expressed his shock at the allegations, stating: This is not the kind of thing I'm used to seeing in public service. I hold our team to very high standards of ethics and accountability, and I'm still processing the seriousness of the allegations.
Williamson has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include bank fraud, wire fraud, and filing false tax returns. Her defence lawyer, McGregor Scott, revealed that after Williamson accepted her role in Newsom's office, federal agents approached her seeking assistance in investigating the Democratic governor. She allegedly refused, stating she had never witnessed him engage in any misconduct.
Becerra has also been cleared of any wrongdoing, with reports indicating he was shocked by the allegations and has fully cooperated with the Department of Justice throughout the investigation. Despite both Becerra and Newsom being exonerated, concerns remain about how the scandal might impact their political futures as they prepare for potential gubernatorial and presidential campaigns in 2028.
The investigation into Williamson was launched under the Biden administration in 2023, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations and the extensive surveillance operation that has now touched multiple figures within California's political establishment.
