Dana Williamson, the former chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom and one of the most influential unelected officials in state government.
Was arrested Wednesday following a federal grand jury indictment that accuses her of orchestrating a years-long financial scheme involving political funds.
Fraudulent tax filings, and the misuse of pandemic-era relief programs.
Federal prosecutors allege that Williamson, 53, conspired with business associates to illegally move hundreds of thousands of dollars from political and business accounts through a complex web of entities, disguising the transactions as legitimate compensation and business expenses while concealing their true purpose.
The charges stem from a multiyear investigation led jointly by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
The indictment, unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, outlines what prosecutors describe as a sustained pattern of financial misconduct that occurred between February 2022 and September 2024 — a period that almost entirely overlaps with Williamson’s tenure as Governor Newsom’s chief of staff.
Alleged Misuse of Political Campaign Funds
At the center of the case is an alleged scheme to improperly access and repurpose approximately $225,000 from a dormant political campaign account.
According to prosecutors, Williamson and an associate conspired to move the funds through multiple business entities they controlled, disguising the transfers as payment for a job that, in reality, required no work.
Federal authorities say the purpose of the arrangement was to make the political funds appear to be legitimate business income while obscuring their political origin.
The indictment alleges that no actual services were performed in exchange for the payments, a tactic prosecutors characterize as a “no-show job” scheme.
By routing the funds through business accounts rather than transferring them directly, investigators allege Williamson sought to avoid scrutiny from regulators and financial institutions, as well as from campaign finance authorities.
A Powerful Role Inside California Government
Williamson served as Governor Newsom’s chief of staff from 2022 until the end of 2024, a role that gave her sweeping authority over policy coordination, staffing, scheduling, and strategic decision-making inside the governor’s office.
As chief of staff, she was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in California politics who did not hold elected office.
According to Politico, Williamson was a key gatekeeper for the governor, overseeing the flow of information, shaping policy priorities, and acting as a central figure in negotiations with lawmakers, interest groups, and state agencies.
Before joining the Newsom administration, Williamson held senior positions under former Governor Jerry Brown, including roles as a top advisor and cabinet secretary.
Her long résumé in Democratic politics made her a well-known figure within California’s political establishment.
Broad Range of Federal Charges
The federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Williamson with an extensive list of alleged offenses, reflecting what prosecutors say is a broad and deliberate pattern of misconduct rather than an isolated lapse in judgment.
The charges include:
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud
Bank fraud
Wire fraud
Conspiracy to defraud the United States
Obstruction of justice
Subscribing to false tax returns
Making false statements to federal investigators
According to the Sacramento Bee, which first reported details of the indictment, there are 23 total counts. Of those, 18 bank and wire fraud charges each carry a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 per count.
The tax-related charge carries a potential maximum fine of $100,000, in addition to possible imprisonment.
Williamson was indicted alongside several co-defendants, including Greg Campbell and Sean McCluskie, as well as two additional individuals named in the charging documents.
Allegations Involving Pandemic Relief Funds
Federal prosecutors also allege that Williamson improperly obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through one of her business entities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PPP was designed to help small businesses maintain payroll during pandemic-related shutdowns, and misuse of the program has been the subject of extensive federal enforcement efforts nationwide.
According to the indictment, Williamson came under civil investigation in early 2024 after one of her businesses received a subpoena related to PPP loan activity.
Prosecutors allege that, following receipt of the subpoena, Williamson and a business partner attempted to conceal financial irregularities by creating fake and backdated contracts intended to make the transactions appear legitimate.
Authorities characterize these actions as obstruction of justice, alleging they were designed to mislead investigators and interfere with the federal inquiry.
Alleged Tax Fraud and Personal Spending
In addition to campaign finance and bank fraud allegations, prosecutors accuse Williamson of submitting false federal tax returns that claimed more than $1 million in fraudulent business deductions.
According to investigators, Williamson allegedly masked personal expenses as legitimate business costs. The indictment states that the disguised expenditures included:
Private jet travel
Luxury hotel accommodations
High-end designer handbags
Other personal lifestyle expenses
IRS Criminal Investigation agents allege these deductions were knowingly false and substantially reduced Williamson’s reported tax liability over multiple years.
Statements from Federal Authorities
FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said the case reflects the culmination of an intensive, multiyear investigation.
“This case is the result of three years of relentless investigative work,” Patel said in a statement.
“The FBI will remain vigilant in its efforts to uncover fraud and corruption, ensuring our government systems are held to the highest standards.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the agency’s focus on cases involving public corruption and tax fraud.
“Disguising personal luxuries as business expenses undermines the integrity of the tax system,” Nguyen said.
“IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to prioritize complex financial crimes, particularly when they involve abuse of public trust.”
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal analysts say the breadth of the charges suggests prosecutors believe they can demonstrate a sustained pattern of intent rather than isolated mistakes.
“When you see conspiracy charges layered with bank fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud, and obstruction, it usually indicates prosecutors believe they can show deliberate conduct over time,” said one former federal prosecutor familiar with white-collar cases.
If convicted on all counts, Williamson could face decades in federal prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, although experts note that sentencing guidelines typically result in penalties well below the statutory maximums, depending on loss amounts, prior criminal history, and cooperation.
Political Fallout and Broader Context
The charges come at a politically sensitive moment in California, where several high-profile Democratic officials have recently faced increased scrutiny over ethics, campaign practices, and the handling of public funds.
While there is no allegation that Governor Newsom was aware of or involved in Williamson’s alleged conduct, the case has drawn attention because of her proximity to the governor and her influential role within his administration.
Newsom’s office has not commented publicly on the charges as of Wednesday, and federal prosecutors emphasized that the case is focused solely on Williamson and her alleged associates.
Presumption of Innocence
As with all criminal cases, Williamson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Her attorneys are expected to challenge the government’s evidence, and the case is likely to involve extensive litigation given its complexity and the number of charges involved.
Williamson made her initial court appearance following her arrest and is expected to enter a plea at a later date.
As the case proceeds, it is likely to draw continued attention from both legal observers and political analysts, given Williamson’s former position at the highest levels of California government and the scope of the allegations outlined by federal prosecutors.
Dana Williamson, the former chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom and one of the most influential unelected officials in state government.
Was arrested Wednesday following a federal grand jury indictment that accuses her of orchestrating a years-long financial scheme involving political funds.
Fraudulent tax filings, and the misuse of pandemic-era relief programs.
Federal prosecutors allege that Williamson, 53, conspired with business associates to illegally move hundreds of thousands of dollars from political and business accounts through a complex web of entities, disguising the transactions as legitimate compensation and business expenses while concealing their true purpose.
The charges stem from a multiyear investigation led jointly by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation.
The indictment, unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, outlines what prosecutors describe as a sustained pattern of financial misconduct that occurred between February 2022 and September 2024 — a period that almost entirely overlaps with Williamson’s tenure as Governor Newsom’s chief of staff.
Alleged Misuse of Political Campaign Funds
At the center of the case is an alleged scheme to improperly access and repurpose approximately $225,000 from a dormant political campaign account.
According to prosecutors, Williamson and an associate conspired to move the funds through multiple business entities they controlled, disguising the transfers as payment for a job that, in reality, required no work.
Federal authorities say the purpose of the arrangement was to make the political funds appear to be legitimate business income while obscuring their political origin.
The indictment alleges that no actual services were performed in exchange for the payments, a tactic prosecutors characterize as a “no-show job” scheme.
By routing the funds through business accounts rather than transferring them directly, investigators allege Williamson sought to avoid scrutiny from regulators and financial institutions, as well as from campaign finance authorities.
A Powerful Role Inside California Government
Williamson served as Governor Newsom’s chief of staff from 2022 until the end of 2024, a role that gave her sweeping authority over policy coordination, staffing, scheduling, and strategic decision-making inside the governor’s office.
As chief of staff, she was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in California politics who did not hold elected office.
According to Politico, Williamson was a key gatekeeper for the governor, overseeing the flow of information, shaping policy priorities, and acting as a central figure in negotiations with lawmakers, interest groups, and state agencies.
Before joining the Newsom administration, Williamson held senior positions under former Governor Jerry Brown, including roles as a top advisor and cabinet secretary.
Her long résumé in Democratic politics made her a well-known figure within California’s political establishment.
Broad Range of Federal Charges
The federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Williamson with an extensive list of alleged offenses, reflecting what prosecutors say is a broad and deliberate pattern of misconduct rather than an isolated lapse in judgment.
The charges include:
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud
Bank fraud
Wire fraud
Conspiracy to defraud the United States
Obstruction of justice
Subscribing to false tax returns
Making false statements to federal investigators
According to the Sacramento Bee, which first reported details of the indictment, there are 23 total counts. Of those, 18 bank and wire fraud charges each carry a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 per count.
The tax-related charge carries a potential maximum fine of $100,000, in addition to possible imprisonment.
Williamson was indicted alongside several co-defendants, including Greg Campbell and Sean McCluskie, as well as two additional individuals named in the charging documents.
Allegations Involving Pandemic Relief Funds
Federal prosecutors also allege that Williamson improperly obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through one of her business entities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PPP was designed to help small businesses maintain payroll during pandemic-related shutdowns, and misuse of the program has been the subject of extensive federal enforcement efforts nationwide.
According to the indictment, Williamson came under civil investigation in early 2024 after one of her businesses received a subpoena related to PPP loan activity.
Prosecutors allege that, following receipt of the subpoena, Williamson and a business partner attempted to conceal financial irregularities by creating fake and backdated contracts intended to make the transactions appear legitimate.
Authorities characterize these actions as obstruction of justice, alleging they were designed to mislead investigators and interfere with the federal inquiry.
Alleged Tax Fraud and Personal Spending
In addition to campaign finance and bank fraud allegations, prosecutors accuse Williamson of submitting false federal tax returns that claimed more than $1 million in fraudulent business deductions.
According to investigators, Williamson allegedly masked personal expenses as legitimate business costs. The indictment states that the disguised expenditures included:
Private jet travel
Luxury hotel accommodations
High-end designer handbags
Other personal lifestyle expenses
IRS Criminal Investigation agents allege these deductions were knowingly false and substantially reduced Williamson’s reported tax liability over multiple years.
Statements from Federal Authorities
FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said the case reflects the culmination of an intensive, multiyear investigation.
“This case is the result of three years of relentless investigative work,” Patel said in a statement.
“The FBI will remain vigilant in its efforts to uncover fraud and corruption, ensuring our government systems are held to the highest standards.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the agency’s focus on cases involving public corruption and tax fraud.
“Disguising personal luxuries as business expenses undermines the integrity of the tax system,” Nguyen said.
“IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to prioritize complex financial crimes, particularly when they involve abuse of public trust.”
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal analysts say the breadth of the charges suggests prosecutors believe they can demonstrate a sustained pattern of intent rather than isolated mistakes.
“When you see conspiracy charges layered with bank fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud, and obstruction, it usually indicates prosecutors believe they can show deliberate conduct over time,” said one former federal prosecutor familiar with white-collar cases.
If convicted on all counts, Williamson could face decades in federal prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, although experts note that sentencing guidelines typically result in penalties well below the statutory maximums, depending on loss amounts, prior criminal history, and cooperation.
Political Fallout and Broader Context
The charges come at a politically sensitive moment in California, where several high-profile Democratic officials have recently faced increased scrutiny over ethics, campaign practices, and the handling of public funds.
While there is no allegation that Governor Newsom was aware of or involved in Williamson’s alleged conduct, the case has drawn attention because of her proximity to the governor and her influential role within his administration.
Newsom’s office has not commented publicly on the charges as of Wednesday, and federal prosecutors emphasized that the case is focused solely on Williamson and her alleged associates.
Presumption of Innocence
As with all criminal cases, Williamson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Her attorneys are expected to challenge the government’s evidence, and the case is likely to involve extensive litigation given its complexity and the number of charges involved.
Williamson made her initial court appearance following her arrest and is expected to enter a plea at a later date.
As the case proceeds, it is likely to draw continued attention from both legal observers and political analysts, given Williamson’s former position at the highest levels of California government and the scope of the allegations outlined by federal prosecutors.