SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Two men charged as conspirators in a scheme to steal campaign funds from an account for former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra appeared before a federal judge in Sacramento on Friday.

Greg Campbell and Sean McCluskie pleaded not guilty and waived their right to a grand jury indictment.

Both men have signed plea agreements with the U.S. Attorney, and this marks the first time they have been seen since the arrest of Dana Williamson , the former chief of staff to Governor Newsom, who is also a co-conspirator in the case.

Campbell, a longtime political operative, faces two federal conspiracy charges, while McCluskie, who served as chief of staff for Becerra, faces one conspiracy charge.

During their brief courtroom appearance, both men were relea

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