Disgraced ex-Gavin Newsom aide breaks silence as fraud trial looms

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s disgraced former chief of employees Dana Williamson has damaged her silence as she prepares for court docket on legal costs involving alleged tax fraud and a plot to steal a whole bunch of hundreds of {dollars} in marketing campaign funds.

“I’m recovering,” Williamson informed the California Publish from her residence on Friday, referencing a liver transplant she underwent earlier this yr that has brought on delays in her case.

She declined to remark additional earlier than closing the door.

Federal prosecutors alleged in a 23-count indictment filed in November that Williamson was a part of a scheme to steal roughly $225,000 from a dormant marketing campaign account tied to former US Well being Secretary Xavier Becerra, who’s now operating for California governor.

Prosecutors say the cash was routed via consulting entities and disguised as respectable funds.

Williamson, who was Newsom’s high aide from 2022 till December 2024, allegedly collaborated throughout this time with registered lobbyist Greg Campbell and Sean McCluskie, a former Becerra staffer. Each males have pleaded responsible to conspiracy to commit fraud.

Williamson, the governor’s former proper hand, can also be accused of submitting false tax returns that claimed greater than $1.7 million in enterprise bills.

In her 2022 tax return, Williamson allegedly made $861,000 in false enterprise deductions. The precise bills concerned a $156,000 birthday journey to Mexico, together with a yacht rental; greater than $12,000 on Chanel earrings and a purchasing bag; and almost $8,000 on a Gucci bag and pockets, in line with prosecutors.

Williamson additionally allegedly spent greater than $10,000 on a visit to a California theme park and greater than $35,000 on a household legislation legal professional. 

She had nearly $700,000 in false enterprise deductions for her 2023 tax return, in line with the indictment, together with $213,000 in funds to 2 family members for “no-show” jobs.

Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Fresno) steered the allegations towards Williamson and her co-conspirators present how “Sacramento is pervaded by a tradition of corruption.”

Following her arrest, Newsom informed KCRA he was “nonetheless processing” the allegations towards Williamson, and he initially puzzled if the arrest was politicized by the Trump administration.

He mentioned he had been made conscious of an FBI probe wanting into Williamson late final yr and positioned her on depart.

Nevertheless, Politico famous in a report that Newsom praised Williamson’s “perception, tenacity, and large coronary heart” in a send-off message, making no point out of the FBI probe.

Earlier than becoming a member of Newsom’s interior circle, Williamson ran her personal consulting agency, Grace Public Affairs, and reportedly served as a senior aide to previous governors Jerry Brown and Grey Davis.

Sacramento officers have been shocked final week to study that Williamson obtained $50,000 on her manner out the door, utilizing roughly $30,000 in unused trip time to stay on California’s payroll seven weeks after the governor’s workplace confirmed her departure.

Williamson additionally obtained a lump-sum cost of about $22,000 for remaining unused trip hours.

US Lawyer Eric Grant mentioned the fees towards Williamson and her alleged co-conspirators have been “an important step” in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began three years in the past.

“Because it at all times has, the US Lawyer’s Workplace will proceed to work tirelessly with our legislation enforcement companions to guard the individuals of California from political corruption.”

The costs towards Williamson embrace conspiracy, financial institution and wire fraud, false statements and tax-related offenses. Her case can be again in court docket April 16, and he or she may resist 20 years in jail and $250,000 in fines if discovered responsible.

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