California Governor Gavin Newsom has spoken out about the guilty plea entered by his former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, in a federal corruption case. He described her conduct as “just wrong” and firmly stated that he is not involved in the matter.
“I literally just heard about it while I was in the elevator,” Newsom remarked after concluding his address on California’s upcoming budget.
Expressing a mix of emotions, Newsom said, “It’s difficult, especially when I think about her daughter, but I also recognize the importance of accountability.”
Williamson admitted in court to charges including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and making false statements. Her plea was entered at the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento on Thursday.
Once a significant figure in Sacramento, Williamson served as Newsom’s chief of staff from 2022 to 2024. She faced 23 charges in November 2025, accused by prosecutors of orchestrating a scheme to embezzle $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to Xavier Becerra.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, all remaining charges against Williamson will be dismissed.
“We’ve all got to be held to the letter of the law,” he said.
Asked about her admission of lying to the FBI, which took place when she was working in Newsom’s office, the governor said, “that was wrong.”
“We have high ethical standards and that’s just wrong, period,” Newsom said.
The governor added that he has “no concern” he’ll be implicated in the corruption probe, per the Sacramento Bee.
