Gavin Newsoms long trail of corrupt connections

Gavin Newsom recently claimed that federal agents had launched an inquiry targeting him and his wife, and proclaimed his innocence.Yet over nearly three decades in California politics, Newsom has amassed a network of appointees, employees, and associates implicated in a range of ethical violations and criminal offenses.

(Newsom has never been charged or implicated in connection with any of the figures or incidents discussed below.)Dana Williamson Governor Newsom appointed Dana Williamson, a “bareknuckle political brawler,” as chief of staff in January 2023.Less than two years later, she left the governor’s office after becoming the subject of a federal corruption probe.

Last month, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.Williamson was allegedly involved in multiple corrupt schemes that began before she joined Newsom’s office.In one, prosecutors say, she and two others conspired to drain $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to Xavier Becerra.

In another, Williamson claimed bogus business expenses worth $1.7 million, which she used to purchase luxury vacations and “private jet travel.” London Breed Newsom served as San Francisco mayor from 2004 to 2011.One of his most enduring “accomplishments” was boosting the political career of London Breed, the future city mayor who proceeded to commit multiple ethics violations.Then-Mayor Newsom appointed Breed to San Francisco’s Redevelopment Agency Commission in 2005 and named her to a post at San Francisco’s Fire Commission in 2010.As mayor, Breed presided over the creation of the city’s racialist “Dream Keeper Initiative” and a range of scandals.

In 2021, San Francisco’s Ethics Commission fined her nearly $23,000 for “Violating Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Gift Laws.” Mohammed Nuru Mohammed Nuru was a public works official under Mayor Newsom.In 2020, Nuru was arrested for his role in a massive bribery and corruption scandal.

He had alle...