The former chief of staff to popular California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has been arrested by the FBI.
A federal grand jury has charged the 53-year-old Dana Williamson with “conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns, and making false statements,” the DOJ announced.
In total, the indictment included 23 counts, according to the release.
Williamson was arrested by federal officials on Wednesday, according to The Sacramento Bee, which first broke the news of the indictment. She pleaded innocent to all counts and was released on $500,000 bond, the Bee reported.
Between February 2022 and September 2024, Williamson allegedly conspired with others to divert about $225,000 from a dormant political campaign to an associate’s personal use, according to court documents. Prosecutors claim Williamson and her associates funneled the money through multiple business entities, disguising it as payment for “what was, in reality, a no-show job.”
“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said in the news release. “As it always has, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.”
“Today’s charges are the result of three years of relentless investigative work, in partnership with IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said in the release. “The FBI will remain vigilant in its efforts to uncover fraud and corruption, ensuring our government systems are held to the highest standards.”
“Disguising personal luxuries as business expenses — especially to claim improper tax deductions or to willfully file fraudulent tax returns is a serious criminal offense with severe consequences,” IRS Criminal Investigation Oakland Field Office Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen said in the release.
Williamson served as Newsom‘s chief of staff from 2022 to 2024, leaving in December after the governor appointed Nathan Barankin to the role. Reports at the time noted that Newsom chose Barankin for his White House experience under former Vice President Kamala Harris, amid speculation about Newsom’s 2028 White House plans.
In a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation, a spokesperson for the governor stated Williamson “no longer serves in this administration.”
“While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity,” the spokesperson stated. “At a time when the President is openly calling for his Attorney General to investigate his political enemies, it is especially important to honor the American principle of being innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of one’s peers.”
Officials also allege the 53-year-old political consultant worked with a business associate to create false, backdated contracts after she was subpoenaed in January 2024 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office over Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans tied to her business.
The Daily Caller reports that Williamson is also accused of filing false tax returns, claiming more than $1 million in business deductions for “what were actually personal and nondeductible expenditures,” including luxury hotel stays, home furnishings, and private jet travel, according to prosecutors.
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