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   From: yourdime@outlook.com   
      
   Two high-ranking men in California politics were arraigned on felony   
   conspiracy charges in federal court on Friday.   
      
   There are five co-conspirators in the bombshell case of political   
   corruption and fraud.   
      
   Gov. Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, was the first   
   to be charged on Wednesday, indicted on 23 fraud-related charges.   
      
   Sean McCluskie and Greg Campbell both entered not guilty pleas Friday in   
   court, though they are expected to change their pleas to guilty at their   
   upcoming court hearings over the next three weeks.   
      
   Plea agreements are already on file for both men.   
      
   The fraud case alleges the five co-conspirators defrauded the federal   
   government and took hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign money to   
   line their own pockets.   
      
   After the court hearing on Friday, McCluskie and his attorney declined to   
   give a comment to reporters.   
      
   Campbell's attorney, Todd Pickles, however, provided a statement and took   
   no questions.   
      
   "Mr. Campbell takes full accountability for his actions and is cooperating   
   fully with the legal process," Pickles said in part.   
      
   The alleged kingpin, and the only person not cooperating according to   
   prosecutors, is Williamson.   
      
   Williamson allegedly subscribed to false tax returns, claiming more than   
   $1 million in business deductions that prosecutors said were for personal   
   and nondeductible expenditures, like private jet travel, hotel stays, home   
   furnishings and designer handbags.   
      
   She is also accused of illegally obtaining COVID-era PPP loans and helping   
   funnel Xavier Becerra's campaign money to McCluskie.   
      
   McCluskie is the former chief of staff for Becerra.   
      
   Becerra previously served as both California Attorney General and the   
   United States Health and Human Services Secretary. He is currently running   
   for California governor.   
      
   Federal court documents allege that, unknown to Becerra, McCluskie stole   
   $225 thousand worth of Becerra's dormant campaign funds for his personal   
   use.   
      
   Williamson is alleged to have helped facilitate it alongside Campbell, a   
   high-profile political consultant. Court documents allege Campbell   
   coordinated the theft through his companies and helped cover it up.   
      
    "Mr. Campbell will, at the appropriate time, further discuss the charges,   
   which do not include Mr. Campbell engaging in the advocacy or lobbying on   
   behalf of any client, receiving any loans to Mr. Campbell or any company   
   owned by Mr. Campbell, or Mr. Campbell profiting from the charged   
   conduct," said Pickles on behalf of his client.   
      
   Both men are expected to plead guilty and potentially testify against   
   Williamson for a lesser punishment for their alleged crimes if her case   
   goes to trial.   
      
   "I continue to think the case is extraordinary," said Michael Wise, a   
   Sacramento defense attorney unrelated to this case. "It's the misuse of   
   donated funds for people who believed in the candidate, Mr. Becerra. So I   
   think it's really important for the community that the case has been   
   brought."   
      
   The drama in the courtroom could involve top brass in California politics   
   if Williamson faces a jury trial.   
      
   "Is there a scenario where you could see Gov. Gavin Newsom and Xavier   
   Becerra be subpoenaed to testify in a trial?" I asked Wise.   
      
   "Absolutely, absolutely. Especially Mr. Becerra and potentially the   
   Governor. He would have no right to refuse, as far as I can tell, because   
   it's a federal jurisdiction and he is a state employee," said Wise.   
      
   The federal court documents allege Becerra did not know anything about the   
   scheme and nothing at this time suggests Newsom had any knowledge either   
   of Williamson's wrongdoing.   
      
   The Governor's office placed Williamson on leave in November 2024, when   
   they first learned she was under criminal investigation.   
      
   McCluskie will be back in court on Nov. 20 for a change of plea hearing.   
      
   Campbell's change of plea hearing is set for Dec. 4.   
      
   https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/co-conspirators-charged-   
   california-political-fraud-case/   
      
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