California Political Consultant Dana Williamson Indicted on Fraud, Obstruction, and Tax Charges

California Political Consultant Dana Williamson Indicted on Fraud, Obstruction, and Tax Charges

Sacramento, CA – November 12, 2025 – In a significant blow to political integrity in California, Dana Williamson, a 53-year-old political consultant and former public official from Carmichael, has been arrested and charged in a 23-count federal indictment. The charges, unsealed following her arrest this morning, include conspiracy to commit fraud and obstruct justice, false statements, and tax crimes. U.S. Attorney Eric Grant described the case as a “crucial step” in an ongoing investigation into political corruption that spans more than three years.

Williamson is accused of orchestrating a scheme to divert approximately $225,000 from a dormant political campaign fund to her personal use between February 2022 and September 2024. According to court documents, she funneled the money through various business entities, disguising it as compensation for a no-show job provided to an associate. Prosecutors allege this was part of a broader effort to misuse campaign contributions for personal gain.

The indictment further claims Williamson conspired with a business associate to create false, backdated contracts after receiving a civil subpoena in January 2024 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The subpoena sought information on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans made to Williamson’s business. These fabricated documents were allegedly used to mislead investigators during ongoing probes into the diversion of campaign funds and related public corruption allegations.

In addition to the fraud charges, Williamson is accused of subscribing to false tax returns, claiming over $1 million in improper business deductions for personal and nondeductible expenses. These included private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, home furnishings, designer handbags, and deductions for no-show jobs provided to friends and family. IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Oakland Field Office Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen emphasized the severity of such offenses, stating, “Disguising personal luxuries as business expenses—especially to claim improper tax deductions or to willfully file fraudulent tax returns—is a serious criminal offense with severe consequences. IRS-CI will pursue charges against those who deliberately exploit their business for personal enrichment.”

When questioned by FBI agents about the backdated contracts and allegations of public corruption, Williamson allegedly made false statements, further compounding the obstruction charges.

FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel highlighted the bureau’s commitment to rooting out corruption: “Today’s charges are the result of three years of relentless investigative work, in partnership with IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The FBI will remain vigilant in its efforts to uncover fraud and corruption, ensuring our government servants are held to the highest standards.”

Williamson is scheduled to make her initial appearance on the charges at 2:00 p.m. today in the U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Anderson, Rosanne Rust, and Katherine T. Lydon, along with Public Integrity Section Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey.

If convicted, Williamson faces substantial penalties: a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud; up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements; and up to three years in prison and a $100,000 fine for each count of subscribing to a false tax return. Any actual sentence would be determined by the court, considering statutory factors and federal sentencing guidelines.

The United States has also concurrently unsealed charging documents related to this case for two other individuals, charged by information. This development is part of a multiyear investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation.

As with all federal cases, the charges against Williamson are allegations, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.