California political consultant and former public official pleads guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, filing a false tax return, and making false statements

Date: May 14, 2026

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Sacramento, CA - Political consultant Dana Williamson of Carmichael pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, subscribing to a false tax return, and making false statements to a federal agent, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

"As part of an investigation that began in 2022, Williamson joins the two others who were charged in the 'Conduit Scheme' conspiracy in pleading guilty," said U.S. Attorney Grant. "These conspirators, three of whom are former public officials, shockingly looted campaign funds for personal benefit. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue working to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that those who scorn the law are held accountable."

"Today's plea highlights the calculated and far-reaching nature of this scheme, which involved using pass through payments, creating fabricated records, and taking steps to mislead federal investigators," said Linda Nguyen, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation's Oakland Field Office. "IRS-CI remains committed to uncovering complex financial fraud and holding those responsible to account."

"Dana Williamson and her co-conspirators weaponized public trust for personal gain," said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. "They stole from a campaign account, fabricated contracts, filed false tax returns, and lied to federal agents. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation spent years investigating this case because integrity in public service isn't optional. No title and no political connection places anyone above the law."

The Conduit Scheme

According to court documents, between February 2022 and September 2024, Williamson conspired with Greg Campbell of Davis, Sean McCluskie of Davis, and others to steal approximately $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign and funnel it to McCluskie for his personal use. Collectively, they funneled the money through various business entities and disguised it as pay to McCluskie's spouse for what was, in reality, a no-show job.

False tax returns

From 2021 to 2023, Williamson claimed a total of approximately $1,718,277 million in business deductions for what were actually personal and nondeductible expenditures, such as food delivery services, luxury vacations to Mexico (twice) and Santa Barbara, private jet travel, purported wages for family members, home goods, veterinary services, landscaping services, and other nondeductible personal expenses. Williamson's false deductions resulted in a tax loss of approximately $504,523, which she agreed in her plea agreement to pay back to the IRS in full as restitution.

False statements

When questioned by FBI agents in November 2024, Williamson made false statements regarding the diversion of campaign funds, Williamson's request to Campbell to create false and backdated contracts after she received a civil subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office regarding Paycheck Protection Program loans to her business, and allegations of public corruption. These statements were designed to lead the FBI away from Williamson's criminal activity by concealing the nature of the conduit scheme, denying the backdating of contracts, and hiding Williamson's involvement in passing information to former clients and business partners to give them an advantage in litigation against the state.

This case is the product of a multi-year investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Anderson, Katherine T. Lydon, and Matthew Thuesen, and Public Integrity Section Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey are prosecuting the case.

On Dec. 4, 2025, Campbell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit offenses against the United States. On Nov. 20, 2025, McCluskie pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. They are scheduled for a status of sentencing hearing before Chief U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on June 4, 2026.

A status conference regarding Williamson's sentencing is scheduled before Chief Judge Nunley on July 9, 2026. Williamson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and $225,000 in restitution for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud; up to three years in prison, a $100,000 fine and $504,523 in restitution to the IRS for filing a false tax return, and up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for making false statements. The actual sentence and amounts of restitution, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

IRS-CI is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS-CI has 18 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad.