Gavin Newsom aide secretly wore FBI wire during California corruption probe

Alexis Podesta, a longtime Democratic insider appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the State Compensation Insurance Fund board, secretly recorded conversations for the FBI during the federal investigation into former chief of staff Dana Williamson. Williamson pleaded guilty in May 2024 to bank and wire fraud, false tax returns and lying to federal agents. Podesta’s cooperation was disclosed by Williamson’s lawyer, former U.S. attorney McGregor Scott, who said, “Alexis wore a wire, and Dana did not.”

FBI notification letters sent in the autumn warned numerous Sacramento officials and lobbyists that their calls had been intercepted, even though many had no direct link to the case. The wire‑recording is reported to date back to June 2024, before former President Trump returned to office, contradicting claims that the probe is politically motivated retaliation. Podesta has not been charged and continues to receive a state salary while cooperating with investigators. The investigation, first announced in November 2025, has expanded to include Governor Newsom and his wife, prompting the governor to describe the scrutiny as political payback and launch a fundraising drive.