Reports Say Newsom Probe Began 1 Year Ago, Undercutting Trump DOJ Claim
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 5
Reports Say Newsom Probe Began 1 Year Ago, Undercutting Trump DOJ Claim
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 5
Summary
At least one federal inquiry tied to Gavin Newsom's orbit began about a year ago, according to CalMatters, CBS, Axios, the Financial Times and The Guardian, challenging his claim that Trump's DOJ launched the probe.
CalMatters reported two criminal investigations have been underway in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, stemming from whistleblowers and Sacramento complaints rather than DOJ headquarters in Washington.
One inquiry involving former chief of staff Dana Williamson was opened during the Biden administration; Williamson later pleaded guilty to corruption charges in a case that did not implicate Newsom.
Newsom still says Trump's Justice Department expanded or politicized the inquiries after failing to build a case from Williamson, widening scrutiny to Jennifer Siebel Newsom, tax filings, nonprofits and behested payments.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche disputed Newsom's account without confirming any investigation, while Newsom's office sought records through FOIA and publicly mocked Blanche's response.