California lobbyist Greg Campbell and former chief of staff Sean McCluskie have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to bank and wire fraud. Campbell, 52, admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. McCluskie, 56, entered his guilty plea on November 20 for conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.
Court documents show that in 2021, McCluskie served as chief of staff to an elected official who later took a position in the U.S. government. Between February 2022 and September 2024, Campbell and McCluskie worked with Dana Williamson of Carmichael and others to take about $225,000 from the official’s dormant political campaign account. The funds were used by McCluskie for personal expenses tied to maintaining residences on both coasts. The group routed the money through business entities, disguising it as payment for a no-show job held by McCluskie’s spouse.
In July 2024, at Williamson’s request, Campbell arranged for three fake retroactive contracts in response to a subpoena Williamson received regarding her company’s eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The PPP was designed to help small businesses retain employees during the COVID-19 pandemic; lobbying firms were not eligible for these loans. Campbell signed documents making it appear that Williamson’s firm only provided non-lobbying services as a subcontractor under his own lobbying business.
On November 12, a federal grand jury unsealed a 23-count indictment against Williamson charging her with several offenses including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, obstruction of justice, filing false tax returns, and making false statements. Authorities note that these are allegations at this stage: “The charges are only allegations; Williamson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and IRS Criminal Investigation led the investigation into these matters. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Anderson, Rosanne Rust, Katherine T. Lydon, along with Public Integrity Section Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey are prosecuting the case.
A sentencing hearing for both Campbell and McCluskie is scheduled for February 26 before Chief U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley. Williamson’s next court appearance is set for December 11 before Chief Judge Nunley.
Campbell and McCluskie each face up to five years in prison per count plus fines up to $250,000 if convicted on all counts charged against them.
If found guilty on all counts charged against her, Williamson could face up to thirty years in prison per count of bank fraud or conspiracy involving bank or wire fraud; up to twenty years per count of wire fraud; five years per count relating to obstruction or false statements; and three years per count related to filing false tax returns—with corresponding fines ranging from $100,000 up to $250,000 depending on the offense.
Sentencing decisions will be made by the court based on statutory factors and federal Sentencing Guidelines which consider multiple variables.
