SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff was charged Wednesday with multiple federal counts of fraud and conspiracy in connection with an alleged scheme to steal campaign funds from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Alleged $225,000 scheme

What we know:

Prosecutors said Dana Williamson , 53, conspired with others between February 2022 and September 2024 to steal $225,000 from a dormant political campaign and transfer the money to an associate’s personal account for personal use.

She pleaded not guilty to all charges in court on Wednesday, and a judge ordered her released from custody.

The federal indictment lists four other co-conspirators. It alleges that Williamson developed a plan with Sean McCluskie, a longtime Becerra aide, to siphon mone

See Full Page