Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
California lobbyist Greg Campbell, 52, and former chief of staff Sean McCluskie, 56, both from Davis, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to bank and wire fraud. Campbell entered his plea on December 4, while McCluskie pleaded guilty on November 20.
Court documents state that in 2021, McCluskie was serving as chief of staff to an elected official and continued in the role after the official took a federal government position. Between February 2022 and September 2024, Campbell and McCluskie worked with Dana Williamson of Carmichael and others to divert approximately $225,000 from the dormant political campaign account of the elected official for McCluskie's personal expenses. The funds were routed through various business entities and disguised as payments for a no-show job held by McCluskie's spouse.
In July 2024, at Williamson’s request, Campbell arranged for three fraudulent retroactive contracts to be created in response to a subpoena regarding her company’s eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The PPP provided forgivable loans intended for small businesses during the pandemic; however, lobbying firms were not eligible for these loans. The contracts falsely indicated that Williamson's firm only provided non-lobbying services and acted solely as a subcontractor to Campbell’s lobbying firm.
On November 12, a grand jury unsealed a 23-count indictment against Williamson. She faces charges including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, filing false tax returns, and making false statements. Authorities emphasized that "the charges are only allegations; Williamson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and IRS Criminal Investigation. 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.
Sentencing hearings for Campbell and McCluskie are 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 of conspiracy as well as fines up to $250,000 per count if convicted. 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 charges; up to twenty years per count of wire fraud; up to five years per count related to obstruction or false statements; and up to three years per count of subscribing false tax returns—with fines ranging from $100,000–$250,000 depending on the charge.
Final sentences will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and federal sentencing guidelines.
