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Newsom’s office quickly moved to distance the governor from the scandal.
“Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration,” a spokesperson said. “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.”
McCluskie, a longtime aide to former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra—now a gubernatorial candidate—is also implicated. Prosecutors allege that from February 2022 to September 2024, Williamson and her co-conspirators siphoned approximately $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account to enrich McCluskie.
The indictment further claims Williamson falsified records to secure fraudulent federal COVID loans and inflated her tax filings with fake business deductions for lavish personal spending. Alleged expenses include luxury trips to Mexico, high-end jewelry, designer handbags, expensive furniture, and private jet travel.
A seasoned political operator in Sacramento, Williamson, 53, served three California governors—Jerry Brown, Gray Davis, and Newsom—and ran her consulting firm, Grace Public Affairs. Known for her sharp political instincts, she was a fixture in the state Capitol until stepping down amid tensions over Proposition 36.
In her December departure statement, Williamson reflected on her career: “It’s always hard to leave this work, but in two short years, we’ve made a lasting impact. I’ve had the honor of serving under three governors and when asked what I will miss the most, my answer is always the same — the privilege of working with some of the smartest and most committed people I’ve ever known.”
Campbell, who operated the lobbying firm Campbell Strategy & Advocacy, allegedly helped funnel the stolen campaign funds through multiple accounts to benefit McCluskie. Prosecutors say the money was disguised as a salary for McCluskie’s spouse in a “no-show” position.
Investigators also claim McCluskie approved $7,500 monthly “consulting” payments to Williamson while overseeing the dormant campaign—a kickback scheme that allegedly netted the conspirators around $225,000.
The indictment lists a series of phony deductions, including $15,353 for a Chanel handbag and ring, $19,000 for a home HVAC system, $10,000 to a relative, and $21,175 for private jet travel—all falsely claimed as business expenses. Total alleged tax fraud exceeds $1 million.
The charges surface less than a year after Newsom replaced Williamson with Nathan Barankin, a former adviser to Kamala Harris, as his chief of staff. The scandal underscores ongoing concerns about political corruption in California’s capital.
