Top California Democratic strategist pleads guilty to $225,000 fraud charges

Dana Williamson, a top California political strategist with ties to the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom , and gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra , pleaded guilty on Thursday to fraud charges, an admission that is poised to fuel other candidates’ attacks in the race. Federal authorities say Williamson conspired to steal $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to Becerra, who was not named in the plea deal, and divert the money to his chief of staff, Sean McCluskie. …