A Sacramento lobbyist has admitted guilt in a major corruption scandal involving former aides to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Xavier Becerra, the former Health and Human Services secretary running to replace Newsom as governor.
Greg Campbell, a key figure in the alleged scheme, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud the US and bank and wire fraud. According to prosecutors, Campbell worked with Dana Williamson, a powerful lobbyist and former Newsom staffer, and Sean McCluskie, Becerra's former chief of staff, to embezzle $225,000 from Becerra's dormant campaign account.
As part of the scheme, Campbell created fake contracts at Williamson's request to boost her company's eligibility for COVID-19 relief loans. Williamson is facing 23 counts of bank fraud and wire fraud, including charges related to false tax write-offs for luxury items and a vacation trip.
Campbell has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for lighter sentencing. His lawyer described him as "deeply grateful" for family support during this difficult time. Meanwhile, Becerra and Newsom have denied any knowledge of the scheme, despite being implicated by their former staffer's actions.
The scandal has raised eyebrows among California's Democratic establishment, highlighting concerns about corruption within the party's inner circle. As Becerra gears up to run for governor, this case may add fuel to his opponents' criticisms of his leadership and ethics record.
Greg Campbell, a key figure in the alleged scheme, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud the US and bank and wire fraud. According to prosecutors, Campbell worked with Dana Williamson, a powerful lobbyist and former Newsom staffer, and Sean McCluskie, Becerra's former chief of staff, to embezzle $225,000 from Becerra's dormant campaign account.
As part of the scheme, Campbell created fake contracts at Williamson's request to boost her company's eligibility for COVID-19 relief loans. Williamson is facing 23 counts of bank fraud and wire fraud, including charges related to false tax write-offs for luxury items and a vacation trip.
Campbell has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for lighter sentencing. His lawyer described him as "deeply grateful" for family support during this difficult time. Meanwhile, Becerra and Newsom have denied any knowledge of the scheme, despite being implicated by their former staffer's actions.
The scandal has raised eyebrows among California's Democratic establishment, highlighting concerns about corruption within the party's inner circle. As Becerra gears up to run for governor, this case may add fuel to his opponents' criticisms of his leadership and ethics record.
. I mean, $225k embezzled? That's a lot of money, especially when it comes from campaign accounts that are supposed to be for the people's good. And the fact that Campbell was involved with Becerra and Newsom, who are both in high positions, makes me wonder if there's more to this story than what we're seeing right now 
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but gotta think positively about it too...I mean, Campbell just saved himself a ton of time by cooperating with the pros, right? he's basically doing the state a solid by spilling the tea on the corrupt scheme 
and who knows, maybe this whole ordeal will make Becerra reevaluate his campaign strategy...if anyone can spin this into a win, it's him 
First, you got this guy Campbell who's basically a mastermind of embezzlement, working with Dana Williamson and Sean McCluskie to scam $225k from Becerra's campaign account. And get this, he created fake contracts for Williamson's company just so they could get more COVID-19 relief loans. I mean, come on! It's not like it was a small-time thing either – we're talking bank and wire fraud here.
It's not like he can just brush this off and expect everyone to forget. Unfortunately for him, his opponents are already going to have plenty of ammo to use against him during the campaign.
And now Becerra is running for governor? This just gives his opponents so much ammo to attack him on corruption charges.
the real question is what else was going on behind closed doors? 
. And what's with the scheme to boost Williamson's company for COVID-19 loans? That's just cronyism at its worst 
. I'm glad Campbell is cooperating, but he's gonna get a slap on the wrist compared to what these others are in for 
Newsom's people are already distancing themselves, but this is gonna come back to haunt him too...
by how deep the corruption goes in CA politics. It's like, you'd think that if someone's gonna get caught, it's just one person, but nope! A whole network is involved 
now this scandal is gonna make it harder 4 bcecerra 2 run 4 governor since his opponents will be like "hey look at this guy's track record" 
but like, I kinda feel bad for him too? Like, he must have been really desperate or in a bad spot financially to do something that messed up his life... but at the same time, $225k is still a crazy amount of money and what was he thinking? And poor Dana Williamson, she's gonna get slammed with all these charges 
but also seriously kinda disappointing cuz it just goes 2 show how corrupt some ppl can be in power. i dont think this is gonna hurt Becerra too much tho...he's got a lot of support from dems & he's still got a good track record as HHS sec. fingers crossed that he stays on the up & up 