Dana Williamson, Gov. Newsom's former chief of staff, pleads guilty in fraud scheme

CALIFORNIA -- Gov. Gavin Newsom's former Chief of Staff, Dana Williamson, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.

Williamson was originally charged with 23 federal counts.

Among the charges, she was accused of co-conspiring in a scheme to steal about $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to Xavier Becerra.

At the time, he was serving as the US Health and Human Services Secretary under President Biden.

Williamson faces a maximum sentence that includes up to 30 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, including a fine of $1 million.

She served as Newsom's chief of staff for about two years and left in November 2024.