Dana Williamson, the former chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom, has spoken out for the first time as she braces for criminal charges involving tax evasion and an alleged scheme to misappropriate substantial campaign funds.
“I’m on the mend,” Williamson shared with the California Post from her home on Friday, alluding to setbacks in her treatment following a liver transplant earlier this year.
She did not provide additional comments before ending the conversation.
Federal prosecutors have accused Williamson in a 23-count indictment from November, stating she was involved in a plan to steal around $225,000 from a dormant campaign account tied to former U.S. Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra, who is currently vying for the governor’s position in California.
It’s alleged that the misappropriated funds were funneled through a consulting firm disguised as legitimate transactions.
During her tenure as a key aide to Newsom from 2022 to late 2024, Williamson allegedly collaborated with lobbyist Greg Campbell and former staffer Sean McCluskey, both of whom have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
Williamson is also facing accusations of submitting false tax returns, falsely claiming over $1.7 million in business expenses.
She reportedly claimed $861,000 in invalid business deductions on her 2022 return, including a pricey $156,000 birthday trip to Mexico that involved yacht rental, over $12,000 on Chanel items, and nearly $8,000 spent on Gucci products.
Additionally, she is accused of spending more than $10,000 at a California theme park and over $35,000 on family law attorney fees.
The indictment claims she claimed around $700,000 in phony business deductions for her 2023 tax return, including $213,000 paid to relatives for purported “no-show” jobs.
Rep. David Tangipa (R-Fresno) commented that these charges highlight a troubling “culture of corruption” in Sacramento.
Despite knowing that Williamson was under investigation by the FBI, Governor Newsom publicly praised her abilities. After her arrest, he mentioned that they were “still considering” the situation, hinting at concerns about potential political motivations behind the charges.
He became aware of the FBI’s investigation late last year and subsequently placed Williamson on leave. However, reports noted that he had previously praised her “insight, tenacity, and big heart,” without any mention of the ongoing investigation.
Prior to her role with Newsom, Williamson managed her own consulting firm, Grace Public Affairs, and had worked as a senior aide for former governors Jerry Brown and Gray Davis.
City officials in Sacramento were shocked last week to discover that Williamson had received $50,000 upfront and had used about $30,000 in accrued vacation time to stay on California’s payroll for seven weeks post her departure announcement from the governor’s office.
She also received a lump sum of roughly $22,000 for her unused vacation days.
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant stated that the indictment against Williamson and her alleged accomplices is a significant progression in an ongoing investigation into political corruption that initiated three years ago.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in its efforts, alongside law enforcement, to shield Californians from political wrongdoing,” he said.
Williamson faces charges including conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, false statements, and tax-related offenses. Her case is set to return to court on April 16, and should she be convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
