New details have emerged in the federal corruption case involving former California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s chief of staff, Dana Williamson, after Williamson’s attorney claimed that a Sacramento political insider had been cooperating with investigators while wearing a recording device, as reported [1] by Red State.
Williamson was indicted in November 2025 on dozens of felony corruption charges stemming from allegations that approximately $225,000 was diverted from a dormant campaign account belonging to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Federal prosecutors alleged the funds were improperly redirected through a scheme involving campaign accounts.
One figure connected to the investigation, Alexis Podesta, was identified in the indictment as Co-Conspirator 2 but was not charged with a crime.
According to Williamson’s attorney, MacGregor Scott, Podesta’s role in the investigation may explain why prosecutors did not pursue charges against her.
Speaking about the investigation, Scott said, “Alexis wore a wire, and Dana did not.”
The statement sheds new light on evidence cited in the federal case, including a detailed transcript of a June 2024 conversation between Podesta and Williamson concerning litigation involving Activision.
According to the charges, Williamson allegedly shared information regarding the state’s legal strategy involving Activision.
Prosecutors also allege she coordinated a settlement and played a role in having the state’s chief counsel removed after the attorney objected to alleged interference by the governor.
Williamson is further accused of making false statements to federal investigators after allegedly denying that she had shared internal government information with individuals outside the administration.
The June 2024 conversation became significant after a California Public Records Act request sought communications involving Williamson, a lobbyist, Activision, and co-defendant Campbell.
Portions of that conversation were later referenced in court filings connected to the federal investigation.
This part of the Williamson indictment seems to be related to CA’s litigation against Activision and her interference in that suit + retaliation against those who stood in her way.
Activision was her client, and when she joined Newsom’s office she gave the acct to Alexis Podesta… pic.twitter.com/6JXyMGUrlr [3]
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) November 13, 2025 [4]
Then Williamson shared the name of the requester and Podesta again said, “F*** her,” adding, “They don’t really know who they are messing with. pic.twitter.com/8IfxYHGbNm [5]
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) November 13, 2025 [6]
Podesta has held several prominent positions in California politics and government.
Before joining the State Compensation Insurance Fund board through an appointment by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2020, she worked for former Sen. Dianne Feinstein and served in senior roles during former Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration.
She also previously worked for Disney and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
The State Compensation Insurance Fund board position carries annual compensation of approximately $61,000.
The corruption investigation has extended beyond Williamson and Podesta.
Following Williamson’s arrest, numerous Sacramento lobbyists and elected officials received letters from the FBI informing them that some of their communications may have been intercepted during the investigation.
The FBI notification stated, “Some of the communications intercepted during the course of the investigation were from a phone number believed to be associated with you.”
The letter continued, “This letter does not necessarily mean you were the target of the investigation or that any criminal action will be taken against you. Rather, the purpose of the letter is to notify you that some of your communications may have been intercepted during the course of the investigation.”
Among those who acknowledged receiving one of the letters was California Assemblyman Josh Hoover, a Republican, who discussed the matter with the California Post.
“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. 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.”
The investigation has drawn attention throughout California’s political community because of the number of government officials, lobbyists, and political operatives whose communications were reportedly captured during the federal probe.
Federal prosecutors have continued pursuing the corruption case against Williamson, while questions remain about the scope of the investigation and the extent to which recordings and intercepted communications may play a role in future court proceedings.
Authorities have not announced additional charges related to the allegations discussed by Williamson’s attorney.