CA-GOV: Strategist Tied to Becerra and Newsom Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case

An influential California power broker pleaded guilty to three felonies on Thursday in a corruption case that has reverberated through the State Capitol and spurred attacks on a Democratic front-runner in the volatile race for governor.

That powerful figure, Dana Williamson, appeared in federal court in Sacramento, where she accepted reduced charges and pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I., filing a false tax return and conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.

Ms. Williamson, 53, has been at the center of influence in Sacramento as a former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom and a former political adviser to Xavier Becerra, who has emerged as a top Democratic contender for governor in recent weeks.

While her case prompted speculation in November about whether her acts were tied to her work in Mr. Newsom’s office, there has been greater scrutiny this month on her connections to Mr. Becerra because of his unexpected surge in the governor’s race.



https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/us/becerra-newsom-strategist-plea-california-governor-race.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur