California’s campaign ethics watchdog has opened two investigations into Dana Williamson, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff indicted last November on bank and wire fraud charges, and her co-conspirators in the criminal probe.
To catch you up: Federal prosecutors last year accused Williamson of falsifying tax records, interfering in a state lawsuit against a former client, lying to federal investigators, and working with four others — including Sacramento lobbyist Greg Campbell, former Deputy Attorney General Sean McCluskie and his spouse, and Democratic consultant Alexis Podesta — to steal money from a dormant campaign account belonging to Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary who’s running for governor.
Now, the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which enforces the state’s campaign laws, is investigating Williamson for conflict of interest.
