Dana Williamson, former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom and adviser to Xavier Becerra, is set to plead guilty Thursday in Sacramento federal court. Prosecutors say she will admit to lying to the FBI, filing a false tax return, and conspiring in bank and wire fraud linked to a $225,000 siphoned from Becerra’s campaign.

The plea deal trims Williamson’s 23‑charge indictment to three counts and requires over $500,000 in restitution to the IRS. Prosecutors allege she funneled stolen funds through shell entities to pay former chief of staff Sean McCluskie, a move that bolstered Becerra’s campaign finances while he served in Washington as secretary of.

Becerra, now a top Democratic contender, has denied involvement and said he cooperated with prosecutors. Opponents have seized the case to question his integrity, with figures like Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton citing the scandal in campaign ads. The indictment’s timing near June 2 primary raises concerns about electoral fairness for voters nationwide in.

The judge will decide sentencing later this year, with guidelines suggesting 30 to 36 months behind bars. Williamson’s plea could reshape the governor race, yet no new evidence implicates Becerra. As the state moves toward the primary, the case underscores the fragility of political alliances and the cost of corruption.