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  "description": "In a corruption scandal that shocked Sacramento, Dana Williamson was accused of conspiring with Becerra’s longtime chief of staff and another Sacramento lobbyist to divert $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant state campaign.\n\n",
  "path": "/former-newsom-chief-of-staff-pleads-guilty-to-scheme-that-bled-money-from-becerras-account/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-17T13:32:01.000Z",
  "site": "https://ielaw.news",
  "tags": [
    "CalMatters",
    "Sign up",
    "was charged in a corruption scandal",
    "Subscribe now"
  ],
  "textContent": "_This story was originally published by_ CalMatters_._ Sign up_for their newsletters._\n\nA former political consultant for Democratic frontrunner for governor Xavier Becerra and ex-aide to Gov. Gavin Newsom pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, submitting a false tax return and lying to federal investigators.\n\nThe consultant, Dana Williamson, was charged in a corruption scandal that shocked Sacramento. Following an investigation that included FBI wiretaps and seized communications, prosecutors accused Williamson of conspiring with Becerra’s longtime chief of staff Sean McCluskie and another Sacramento lobbyist to divert $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant state campaign account into McCluskie’s hands.\n\nAs part of the plea deal, Williamson, McCluskie and the other lobbyist jointly agreed to pay $225,000 in restitution to Becerra. Williamson also agreed to pay $500,000 in restitution to the IRS. Prosecutors have agreed to seek the standard sentencing for the fraud charge under federal guidelines, which is about 2.5 to 3 years.\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "Former Newsom chief of staff pleads guilty to scheme that bled money from Becerra’s account",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-17T13:32:03.000Z"
}