FBI intercepted communications of Newsom admin. officials in criminal investigation of former employee; Governor's office notes it as 'expected'

A wave of unease has swept through California’s political establishment after dozens of influential Sacramento figures — including current and former officials from Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration — began receiving formal notices from the FBI informing them that their phone calls, text messages, or other digital communications had been intercepted as part of a long-running federal corruption probe. The letters relate to the investigation surrounding Dana Williamson and two other veteran Democratic political operatives.

Such notifications are required once federal wiretaps are concluded under the 1968 Federal Wiretap Act, but despite being routine, they triggered alarm among lobbyists, consultants, and government insiders from Sacramento to Washington. The letters, signed by Siddhartha Patel, the head of the FBI’s Sacramento office, began arriving last week. Copies reviewed by reporters show that the monitored communications span from May to late July of 2024.

A spokesperson for Governor Newsom confirmed that only a small number of current and former administration employees received the notifications and emphasized that the governor himself did not. The office underscored that the letters were anticipated due to federal law. The FBI declined to elaborate, referring all questions to the U.S. attorney’s office, which has acknowledged the investigation is active but has offered few specifics.

Newsom told a local newspaper that he was stunned when he learned about Williamson’s arrest. He described having put her on leave late last year after she informed the governor’s team that she was the subject of a federal inquiry. He said he had hoped that whatever the issue was — the details of which he claimed not to know — it would be resolved.

Federal prosecutors last week unveiled an indictment accusing Williamson, widely regarded as one of the most seasoned and formidable operators in California politics and a former chief of staff to Newsom, of embezzling $225,000 from a dormant campaign account of 2026 gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra. She was also charged with spending roughly $1 million on luxury travel and designer handbags, disguising those purchases as legitimate business expenses on tax filings. The 23-count indictment alleges that Williamson worked with Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s former top deputy at the California attorney general’s office, and lobbyist Greg Campbell to submit fraudulent invoices for consulting work that was never performed.

Williamson has entered a not-guilty plea.

Federal authorities have not identified any additional targets beyond Williamson, Campbell, and McCluskie. Yet Williamson’s attorney has claimed that prosecutors initially approached his client seeking her cooperation in what he described as an investigation involving Newsom — though he declined to describe its scope. According to him, Williamson refused to cooperate. Publicly available court documents and the indictment suggest investigators have been examining the operatives’ ties to a matter involving a company referenced only as “Corporation 1,” which appears to correspond with the state-led sex discrimination case against video game giant Activision Blizzard.

Newsom denied knowing anything about Williamson’s alleged connection to the Activision matter.

The indictment contains numerous references to phone conversations and text messages, indicating that investigators relied heavily on wiretaps. But the sudden arrival of notifications to a broad cross-section of the Capitol — lobbyists, strategists, former aides — has generated widespread anxiety. Some describe being unnerved by the possibility that routine political conversations, confidential discussions with clients, or unrelated strategic exchanges might eventually surface.

Political consultant Steve Maviglio, who did not receive a letter but has spoken with many who did, said the disclosures have rattled Sacramento: “People can’t remember every conversation they had or who they said what to. They’re worried this might only be the beginning and have no idea where the investigation could lead.” Another insider joked that so many people received notices that he felt excluded for not getting one himself.

Legislative leaders have sought to downplay the situation. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said he hasn’t been contacted by federal authorities and hasn’t received any notification from the FBI. He remarked that fear of surveillance “has always existed,” but added that as long as he follows the rules, he doesn’t worry. Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón said she, too, has received no communication from the FBI or Justice Department.

Some individuals who spoke privately to reporters expressed concern about how seized communications might be used, especially given the political climate and the possibility that the Trump administration — now back in power — could weaponize such material. Newsom’s office has attempted to connect the anxiety to what it calls the administration’s strained relationship with Washington, accusing the president of targeting political foes through law enforcement agencies. But the corruption case that ensnared Williamson originated during the Biden administration, long before the current political tensions escalated.

In the meantime, the letters have left Sacramento bracing for what may come next, with many insiders unsure whether the latest wave of disclosures represents the end of the investigation — or merely its beginning.

Source: Los Angeles Times