Newsom's ex-chief of staff indicted in corruption case

Federal prosecutors have indicted a former chief of staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom on public corruption charges, ensnaring a longtime adviser to one of the nation's most prominent Democrats.

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Dana Williamson is accused of conspiring to divert about $225,000 from a dormant political campaign for an associate's personal use, according to an indictment unsealed on Wednesday. She also allegedly claimed more than $1 million in business deductions for what were actually private expenditures for luxury goods and other personal items, prosecutors said.

A prominent political operative in the state capital of Sacramento, Ms Williamson served as Mr Newsom's top aide for about two years starting in late 2022 and was known for her combative style and central role in negotiating the governor's marquee initiatives. Prosecutors said she created false backdated contracts after being subpoenaed for records related to a federal Covid-19 stimulus programme and later made false statements to FBI agents.