A veteran California political consultant who once worked closely with Gov. Gavin Newsom is now facing a long list of federal counts. The case grew quietly for years before breaking wide open.

Prosecutors say the former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, 53, is charged in a 23-count federal indictment. The counts include conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns, and making false statements.

According to court filings, investigators allege Williamson and others moved about $225,000 out of a dormant political campaign. They say the money went to an associate’s personal use.

Officials say the group moved the funds through business entities and disguised the transfers as pay for a job that did not actually exist. Records indicate the work was a no-show position.

Prosecutors also say Williamson worked with a business associate to craft false, backdated contracts. That alleged move came after a civil subpoena arrived about Paycheck Protection Program loans.

“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said in a statement. “As it always has, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.”

Agents took Williamson into custody, and the indictment was unsealed the same morning. The case sits in the Eastern District of California, where the investigation has been underway for more than three years.

The FBI’s Sacramento Field Office and IRS Criminal Investigation have been central to the probe. They say the work spanned complex finance tracks and shell entities.

“Today’s charges are the result of three years of relentless investigative work, in partnership with IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Sid Patel, who serves as the Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Sacramento Field Office explained. “The FBI will remain vigilant in its efforts to uncover fraud and corruption, ensuring our government systems are held to the highest standards.”

State officials are distancing themselves. Williamson previously served as Newsom’s chief of staff until late 2024, according to the governor’s office.

A spokesperson emphasized that Williamson is no longer in the administration. They also stressed expectations for ethical conduct from anyone in public service.

“Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration,” the spokesperson told the outlet. “While we are still learning details of the allegations, the governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity.”

The alleged scheme, as described in filings, covers a period from early 2022 through late 2024. Authorities outline a pattern: move money from a dormant campaign, route it through companies, and label it as pay.

Then, when outside scrutiny arrived through a subpoena connected to pandemic-era loans, investigators say records were rewritten after the fact. The goal, they allege, was to make the payments look legitimate.

The case now turns to the courtroom. Prosecutors will lay out bank records, contracts, and testimony. Defense counsel will have a chance to respond to each claim and challenge the government’s evidence.

If the charges hold, the counts carry serious penalties. The fraud and obstruction allegations, combined with tax crimes, can stack up quickly in federal sentencing.

For Californians, the story lands in the middle of public trust concerns. Voters expect clean books and honest work. The details in this file will be watched closely as hearings begin.

More filings are expected as both sides prepare. Any plea talks or trial dates will shape how fast the case moves. Until then, the indictment speaks for itself, and the facts will be tested in court.