Three months after a federal investigation was announced involving him and his wife, Governor Gavin Newsom stated he has yet to hear from any investigators.
During a press conference on Wednesday, the California Democrat told reporters that he has not been contacted by federal authorities, expressing a lack of information regarding the ongoing inquiries tied to his professional dealings, family finances, and nonprofit-sponsored travel.
“I know nothing more than you know. Period, full stop,” Newsom remarked.
He added, “Never been contacted by anyone and I continue to make this point. They continue to zig and zag, and I stand by everything I said in my opening remarks on this,” hinting at his earlier comments on June 15, where he labeled the federal scrutiny as a politically motivated attack.
The governor, who is expected to run for president, made these remarks during an extensive Q&A session with reporters in Sacramento following the signing of a bill that grants tax credits to local news organizations.
Despite the investigation not resulting in any charges thus far, federal authorities are reportedly focusing on Newsom’s international travel funded by wealthy sponsors, according to the San Francisco Standard.
A recent profile in Vanity Fair brought to light another aspect of the federal scrutiny — the governor’s contentious use of “behested payments” to support his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s nonprofit organization.
The article, where Newsom drew comparisons between himself and Bill Clinton, revealed that investigators might be examining funds transferred from a Native American tribe in Sonoma County to support his wife’s nonprofit that addresses gender issues.
Since 2022, Newsom has sought $2.3 million in behested payments from the influential Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria for the California Partners Project, which focuses on gender and pay equity, as documented by state records.
Newsom appointed the tribe’s chairman, Greg Sarris, to the significant University of California Board of Regents about three months after a $500,000 contribution made on March 23, 2023.
The governor’s office has defended the practice of behested payments, asserting that there is no connection between donations and political appointments. A spokesperson stated, “The governor only makes decisions based on what is best for Californians, not campaign contributions or special interests.”
Concerns have been raised about various donors to Newsom’s political campaign or friendly nonprofits receiving state appointments shortly before or after making contributions.
This month, the US Attorney’s Office issued subpoenas for six years’ worth of communications related to the California State Protocol Foundation, a nonprofit operated by Newsom’s aides that often finances his travel using private funds instead of taxpayer dollars.
The foundation’s previous donors include companies like CVS Pharmacy and Zoox, a business testing autonomous vehicles in California. Charitable contributors have included the Hewlett Foundation, Sierra Health Foundation, and the Ford Foundation.
The subpoenas reportedly sought information concerning the Protocol Foundation’s donors, fundraising activities, Newsom’s international trips, and any funds that may have been allocated for his personal expenses.
