Is This the Beginning of the End of Politics For Gavin Newsom?

Dana Williamson, Former Chief of Staff for Deep State California Governor Gavin Newsom, has been arrested by the FBI after being indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges, including:

• 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.

• making false statements.

The 23-count indictment was unsealed following Williamson’s arrest on Wednesday morning.

A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom was quick to say, “Ms. 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. 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.”

According to the DOJ, court documents between February 2022 and September 2024 show that Williamson conspired with others. They diverted around $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign. The funds were used for an associate’s personal use. Money was funneled through various business entities and disguised as pay for what was a “no-show job.”

Williamson also allegedly subscribed to false tax returns. She claimed more than $1 million in business deductions for personal and nondeductible expenditures.

These included private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, home furnishings, and designer handbags. There were also deductions for no-show jobs for friends and family.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also stated that Williamson made false statements when she was questioned by FBI agents.

She is scheduled to make her initial appearance in the U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento on Wednesday.

If convicted, Williamson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,00 fine for each count of bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit each.

She also faces up to five years in prison and a $250,00 fine for each count of conspiracy to obstruct and making false statements.

Additionally, there is a penalty of up to three years in prison and a $100,000 fine for each count of subscribing to a false tax return, according to the Attorney’s Office.

“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,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel.

Before joining Newsom’s staff, she operated her own consulting firm in Sacramento, Grace Public Affairs. She was a senior aide to numerous California elected officials. This includes serving as Cabinet Secretary to former Gov. Jerry Brown. She remained close to him, as well as former Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.

Williamson also was a strategist on several ballot measure campaigns, including major criminal justice reform efforts.