Attorney McGregor Scott, who represents Williamson, said Democratic political operative Alexis Podesta had been cooperating with investigators since at least June 2024.
An FBI corruption investigation involving former California chief of staff Dana Williamson relied on a cooperating insider who secretly recorded conversations for federal investigators, according to Williamson’s attorney. The disclosure comes as the broader federal probe has expanded to include Gov. Gavin Newsom, his wife, and members of the governor’s inner circle.
Attorney McGregor Scott, who represents Williamson, said Democratic political operative Alexis Podesta had been cooperating with investigators since at least June 2024, according to the New York Post reports.
“Alexis wore a wire, and Dana did not,” Scott said. Williamson pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and making false statements to the FBI. Federal prosecutors allege she participated in a scheme that diverted roughly $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to former Xavier Becerra. Prosecutors say the payments were disguised as consulting fees while benefiting Becerra’s former chief of staff, Sean McCluskie.
The revelation helps explain why numerous Sacramento political figures and lobbyists received FBI notifications last fall advising them that their phone conversations had been intercepted, despite many saying they had no apparent connection to Williamson.
Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover said he was among those notified.
“A lot of people received letters essentially informing us that there were certain periods of time where the FBI was given access to follow phone calls,” Hoover said.
“I don’t know how these investigations work, but it sounds like they cast a pretty broad net across the Capitol community to see what they could find.”
Another source familiar with the matter said at least four Sacramento insiders received similar notifications. One recipient reportedly reacted by saying, “Dude, I got this f—ing letter. I never even met with Dana Williamson!”
“Their curiosity was that they never even met with Dana Williamson, so they were wondering what this is all about,” the source said. “And now you have the answer.”
Last month, Newsom announced that he, his wife, and members of his inner circle were under federal investigation.
“Just in the last week, I’ve learned his campaign has reached my own home: to get me, he’s coming after my wife, Jen. A public servant. A woman who has dedicated her life to supporting women and girls. Someone who has done nothing wrong, other than having the temerity to advocate for what she believes in. If they can’t intimidate me, they’ll go after the mother of our children,” Newsom said in his post.
“Donald Trump picked the wrong target. We have nothing to hide. His political operatives can take every record and read every page. But they’ll be looking in the wrong place. Because if they really want to find corruption, look no further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” he added.
A source familiar with the matter told Semafor’s shelby Talcott that there are “several investigations” ongoing that relate to Newsom, and that the investigations are focused on Newsom’s wife’s taxes and Newsom’s chief of staff. The investigations reportedly did not originate in the main DOJ office, but rather out of Sacramento and involve whistleblowers
The Democrat governor of California said that he has joined what he called President Trump’s “hit list” as well as accused Trump of “selling the presidency” for approval of golf courses, private jets, and cryptocurrency. He included Trump’s sons in the accusations and claimed that their ventures are in “countries where his own administration is simultaneously making policy.”
“You can subpoena my records. You can investigate me. You can harass me,” Newsom added. “Put my name on every and any enemies list you have, but leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta.”