Ex-Newsom aide pleads guilty in federal campaign-finance scheme

Gavin Newsom’s longtime chief of staff Dana Williamson pleaded guilty to three counts in a federal public-corruption case—campaign-finance fraud, lying to the FBI, and filing a false tax return—over an alleged scheme to siphon campaign funds from Xavier Becerra to his aide and conceal the payments from Becerra; the plea adds political baggage for Becerra in the California governor race, with co-conspirators having also taken plea deals and the case previously facing delays due to Williamson’s health issues.