California Governor's corruption scandal deepens after Newsom ally revealed to be FBI informant

California Gov. Gavin Newsom had a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) informant within his inner circle, who recorded conversations using a wire, The New York Post revealed in a report. This was before the agency expanded its corruption probe to include the governor and his wife. Alexis Podesta is said to have recorded conversations during the probe into Newsom's former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty to federal fraud and tax charges in May this year, the report added.

Podesta, a prominent Democratic operative, was wearing a wire as far back as June 2024, according to Williamson's lawyer, McGregor Scott. The 45-year-old cooperated with the agency and was not charged with a crime, despite being identified as a co-conspirator in Williamson's indictment, the report explained. In the indictment, Williamson, while serving as Newsom's chief of staff, shared confidential state government information with a co-conspirator regarding a corporate client.

Newsom rubbished the allegations, arguing that there is no evidence that the alleged use of a wire on one of the FBI's informants is in any way connected to the Governor, despite the piece's suggestion. "That investigation had nothing to do with the Governor. The charges against Ms. Williamson concerned conduct from before she worked for the Governor," he said in a statement.

The 58-year-old clarified that Podesta departed as an agency secretary appointed by his predecessor, within the first year of his taking office. "The Post offers no real evidence that she was in his 'orbit'. Under the Post’s theory, every one of the more than 2,000 appointees to boards and commissions is somehow an 'ally' and in the political orbit of the Governor. Framing Ms. Podesta's personal relationship with Ms. Williamson as part of the Governor's inner circle is shoddy journalism," he averred.

The revelation comes in the wake of a Department of Justice investigation into Newsom, his wife, family, friends, and former employees. Newsom accused President Donald Trump of directing the DOJ to investigate him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. He argued that the investigation was not a result of a crime but of an attempt to find one, adding that Trump is targeting him because of his plans for a presidential run in 2028.

Williamson pled guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, subscribing to a false tax return, and making false statements to a federal agent.

"These conspirators, three of whom are former public officials, shockingly looted campaign funds for personal benefit," US Attorney Eric Grant said in a statement back in May. "Dana Williamson and her co-conspirators weaponized public trust for personal gain," according to FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel.

Patel revealed that the three of them stole from a campaign account, fabricated contracts, filed false tax returns, and lied to federal agents. The 53-year-old faces a maximum of 38 years in prison, a $1.5 million fine, and $730,000 in restitution for her charges, according to the DOJ. But the actual quantum of her punishment will be decided by the court. The sentencing is scheduled for July 9.