Williamson pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and making false statements to the FBI. Her attorney, former U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott, confirmed that Podesta cooperated with investigators while Williamson did not.
“Alexis wore a wire, and Dana did not,” Scott told the newspaper.
According to the report, Podesta began recording conversations as early as June 2024. That timeline may explain why numerous lobbyists and political figures in Sacramento reportedly received FBI notification letters last fall informing them that some of their phone conversations had been intercepted as part of the investigation.
Several people who received those notices reportedly expressed surprise because they believed they had little or no connection to Williamson or the underlying investigation.
Republican Assemblyman Josh Hoover told the New York Post he was among those who received an FBI notification despite never speaking with either Williamson or Podesta.
“A lot of people received letters essentially informing us that there were certain periods of time where the FBI was given access to follow phone calls,” Hoover said.
“I don’t know how these investigations work, but it sounds like they cast a pretty broad net across the Capitol community to see what they could find.”
Another individual familiar with the investigation told the newspaper that multiple political figures in Sacramento received similar notifications. One recipient reportedly reacted with surprise, saying, “Dude, I got this f—ing letter. I never even met with Dana Williamson!”
Last month, Newsom announced that he, his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and members of his inner circle were under federal investigation. The governor has argued that the Justice Department is targeting him for political reasons ahead of a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
However, according to the New York Post, sources familiar with the investigation said federal authorities have spent the past year examining Newsom, members of his administration, and his wife’s financial activities after receiving whistleblower complaints.
Podesta has not been charged with any crime. Her attorney, Bill Portanova, confirmed that she cooperated with federal investigators and identified her as the uncharged co-conspirator referenced in Williamson’s indictment.
Newsom’s office declined to comment on Podesta’s role, telling the newspaper that it was a personnel matter.
Federal court records allege that Williamson participated in a scheme involving approximately $225,000 taken from a dormant campaign account belonging to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Prosecutors contend the funds were disguised as consulting payments that ultimately benefited Becerra’s former chief of staff, Sean McCluskie.
Court filings further allege that Williamson shared confidential California state government information with Podesta regarding litigation involving Activision Blizzard.
According to Williamson’s plea agreement, investigators recorded a June 2024 conversation in which the two discussed how to respond to a California Public Records Act request related to that litigation.
Hoover said the expanding investigation raises broader concerns about the operations of the governor’s administration and the public’s confidence in state government.
“All of this stuff just raises so many questions,” Hoover said.
“What is going on in this administration? What types of conversations are being had?” he said, The New York Post reported.
“I think the entire case should be really concerning for the general public. It’s really raising a lot of mistrust,” he said.
