Former Health and Human Services chief Xavier Becerramay be surgingin the competition for California governor, but his ties toan alleged fraud caseare still dogging him.
A longtime aide for Becerra, who’s considered a Democratic frontrunner, pled guilty to charges that he helped illegally funnel campaign cash towards a no-show job for his wife — and the governor hopeful is now facing uncomfortable questions about the bombshell corruption scandal.
According to the feds, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff Dana Williamson plotted with lobbyist Greg Campbell and longtime Becerra aide Sean McCluskie to siphon $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account for personal use between February 2022 and September 2024.
While McCluskie was Becerra’s chief of staff, Williamson — who also worked on Becerra’s 2018 campaign for attorney general — allegedly funneled $10,000 per month. The funds were routed through multiple business entities and falsely labeled as pay for a “no-show” job that didn’t exist.
Williamson also faces other charges, and Newsom had said he placed her on leave when made aware of a probe. She pleaded not guilty, whileCampbell and McCluskie pleaded guilty.
Becerra has repeatedly denied knowledge of the scheme, and has not been accused of wrongdoing.But his allies’ alleged misdeeds have put an unflattering spotlight on the longtime California pol.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is also running for governor, blasted Becerra online Wednesday morning for what he called a flip-flop on what Becerra knew around the scandal.
Same politician. Same illegal payments. But five months later@XavierBecerratells a different story to@Elex_Michaelsonthan he told [email protected]/kmH4XfstjL
“Same politician. Same illegal payments,” said Villaraigosa, who is also a Democrat. “But five months laterXavier Becerra tells a different story.”
California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
