Dana Williamson, Gov. Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff, leaves the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento, California, after being arrested in a federal public corruption probe involving multiple counts of bank and wire fraud on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Paul Kitagaki Jr.

As Gov. Gavin Newsom flew around the country last year campaigning for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his chief of staff Dana Williamson — known as one of California’s toughest political insiders — was not only helping to helm the ship in Sacramento, but under criminal investigation by federal law enforcement.

The resulting criminal case, which splashed into public view with Williamson’s arrest Wednesday, does not implicate Newsom in any wrongdoing. Williamson’s alleged misdeeds occurred

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