Xavier Becerra was pressed at a debate after two former staffers pleaded guilty to siphoning $225,000 from an inactive campaign account. Prosecutors say withdrawals of $7,500–$10,000 occurred between 2022 and 2024. Becerra denies wrongdoing and notes he was not named in the charges, while rivals warned that future indictments or disclosures remain possible. The controversy adds uncertainty to the June 2 California primary.
Becerra Pressed Over $225K Campaign-Fund Scandal During Heated Debate
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, speaks during a roundtable discussion with representatives from Child Guidance Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.(Getty Images)
Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra faced intense scrutiny at a Thursday debate after two of his former staffers pleaded guilty to diverting campaign money from an inactive account to supplement their pay.
Prosecutors say former chief of staff Sean McCluskie and political strategist Dana Williamson pleaded guilty to taking a total of $225,000 from an out-of-use campaign account that Becerra had maintained while pursuing a prior state-level office. Authorities allege the withdrawals occurred in increments of $7,500 to $10,000 between 2022 and 2024.
Democratic candidates Antonio Villaraigosa, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra and Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco participate in a California gubernatorial debate at East Los Angeles College Auditorium in Monterey Park, Calif., on May 5, 2026, ahead of the June 2 primary elections.
At the debate, rivals seized on the guilty pleas. Republican contender Steve Hilton argued that knowledge of the scheme should disqualify Becerra from the governor’s race, saying the revelations meant Becerra should be preparing a criminal defense rather than campaigning. Democratic rival Katie Porter stressed that not being named in the current charging documents does not guarantee Becerra will never face charges, noting prosecutors could pursue additional disclosures or indictments as the investigation continues.
"I did nothing wrong. Case closed," Becerra said in a statement released before the debate, and he repeatedly pointed out during the event that his name was not included in the charging documents.
Federal Election Commission rules prohibit using campaign funds for personal expenses or items unrelated to campaigning or official duties; prosecutors framed the pleas as a breach of those restrictions. Becerra has denied any involvement or knowledge of the scheme.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on reproductive rights as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra listen during an event at the Roosevelt Room of the White House on July 8, 2022. Biden signed an executive order on access to reproductive health care services.
Political context: Becerra is a leading Democratic candidate to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom. His long public-service résumé includes roles as California deputy attorney general, state assemblyman, 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, California attorney general (2017–2021), and U.S. HHS secretary (2021–2025).
The developments complicate an already crowded field ahead of California’s June 2 primary, with the top two finishers advancing to the Nov. 3 general election.
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