California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff indicted on public corruption charges

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple corruption charges, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced on Wednesday.

Williamson, 52, of Carmichael, has been charged 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.

According to court documents, between February 2022 and September 2024, Williamson conspired with others to divert approximately $225,000 from a dormant political campaign to an associate’s personal use. The funds were funneled through various business entities and disguised as pay for a no-show job, federal prosecutors allege.