Newsom Defends Against Allegations Tied to FBI Informant
On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom launched a pointed defense on social media, targeting President Trump, the Justice Department, and the California Post. His reaction came after a report drew connections between FBI informant Alexis Podesta and Newsom himself.
In a post shared by the Governor’s Press Office, the administration accused “MAGA bootlickers” of disseminating “false information,” all while insisting that there was “no evidence” tying Newsom to the federal corruption inquiry involving both him and his former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, according to Williamson’s legal team.
The tone of the governor’s post was notably confrontational, describing the federal investigation as a “lawless fishing expedition.” The accusations included claims that the investigators were “chasing ghosts” and that the efforts against Newsom were politically motivated by President Trump.
Interestingly, Newsom’s team did not address his own role in promoting Williamson, who was well-known in the Capitol for her aggressive style, but instead referred to her as Ms. Williamson.
In a somewhat lengthy response, Newsom’s office introduced an eight-part series titled “FACT” to defend the governor’s position.
They emphasized, “There is no evidence that the alleged use of wires against one of our FBI informants is in any way connected to the Governor.” The governor’s officials insisted that the ongoing investigation had “nothing to do with the governor,” which seemed to counter claims made by the Post that Newsom did not address.
A recent article noted that Williamson’s attorney stated Podesta was wearing a wire, creating confusion about his cooperation with the FBI in its public corruption investigation associated with the Capitol.
Many political insiders in Sacramento were informed last year by federal officials that they were part of the investigation, leading to speculation about Williamson’s possible involvement in recording conversations.
Williamson’s lawyer, McGregor Scott, clarified, “Alexis was wearing a wire; Dana was not.”
The report also highlighted Podesta’s longstanding connections to the Newsom administration, noting that the investigation is currently scrutinizing the finances of Newsom and his spouse, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Podesta entered state politics under former Governor Jerry Brown, and Newsom retained her, later appointing her director of the California Department of Business, Consumer Services and Housing. She left in 2020 to start a lobbying firm in Sacramento.
Williamson is expected to be sentenced for her criminal activities later this summer.
The article also discussed Podesta and Williamson’s close professional ties, including Newsom’s 2020 appointment of Podesta as the director of the State Compensation Insurance Fund at a $61,000 annual salary.
In response, officials from the governor’s office claimed that the article lacked “real evidence,” asserting that Podesta was merely in Newsom’s “orbit.” They suggested that the Post’s arguments were overreaching, noting that numerous appointees to boards and commissions are not necessarily allies of the governor.
Federal investigators have recorded conversations between Podesta and Williamson discussing government affairs, including a notable lawsuit tied to Activision Blizzard.
The unusual nature of the governor’s social media response raises questions about resource allocation and whether the governor is focusing on state matters or engaging in what feels more like a campaign-style defense.
Notably, several members of Newsom’s communications team also work for his federal political action committee, presenting a potential conflict of interest. For instance, Richards was compensated over $27,000 by the PAC and received additional reimbursements this year, though he chose not to comment on his employment status with the PAC.
The tweetstorm concluded with the governor’s office asserting that any claims of Podesta’s involvement in wiretapping were “not news.”
