Political consultant Dana Williamson, 53, of Carmichael, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, subscribing to a false tax return, and making false statements to a federal agent.

As part of an investigation that began in 2022, Ms Williamson joined two others who were charged in the ‘Conduit Scheme’ conspiracy in pleading guilty, said U.S. attorney Eric Grant.

According to court documents, between February 2022 and September 2024, Ms Williamson conspired with Greg Campbell, 52, of Davis, Sean McCluskie, 57, of Davis, and others to steal about $225,000 in funds from a dormant political campaign and funnel it to Mr McCluskie for his personal use.

Collectively, they funnelled the money through various business entities and disguised it as pay to Mr McCluskie’s spouse for what was, in reality, a no-show job.

From 2021 to 2023, Ms Williamson claimed a total of $1,718,277 million in business deductions for what were actually personal and non-deductible expenditures, such as food delivery services, luxury vacations to Mexico (twice) and Santa Barbara, private jet travel, purported wages for family members, home goods, veterinary services, landscaping services, and other nondeductible personal expenses.

Ms Williamson’s false deductions resulted in a tax loss of $504,523, which she agreed in her plea agreement to pay back to the IRS in full as restitution.

When questioned by FBI agents in November 2024, Ms Williamson made false statements regarding the diversion of campaign funds, Ms Williamson’s request to Mr Campbell to create false and backdated contracts after she received a civil subpoena from the U.S. Attorney’s Office regarding Paycheck Protection Programme loans to her business, and allegations of public corruption.

These statements were designed to lead the FBI away from Ms Williamson’s criminal activity by concealing the nature of the conduit scheme, denying the backdating of contracts, and hiding Ms Williamson’s involvement in passing information to former clients and business partners to give them an advantage in litigation against the state.

On December 4, 2025, Mr Campbell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government.

On November 20, 2025, Mr McCluskie pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. They are scheduled for a status of sentencing hearing before chief U.S. district judge Troy Nunley on June 4.

A status conference regarding Ms Williamson’s sentencing is scheduled before the judge on July 9.

Ms Williamson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and $225,000 in restitution for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud; up to three years in prison, a $100,000 fine and $504,523 in restitution to the IRS for filing a false tax return, and up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for making false statements.