Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who has recently shown the sharpest rise in support in the California governor’s race, is facing a major political test after a longtime aide pleaded guilty in a campaign fund embezzlement scheme.
Sean McCluskie, a close Becerra adviser who worked with him for more than two decades, pleaded guilty to charges related to stealing more than $200,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account, according to the Los Angeles Times. The case has given Becerra’s rivals new ammunition as they raise questions about his judgment and potential legal exposure.
According to federal prosecutors, McCluskie and political consultant Dana Williamson were involved in a scheme to divert $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign fund under the pretense of campaign account management fees. Williamson, a former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom, pleaded guilty this week to fraud-related charges, while McCluskie had previously accepted a plea deal.
Prosecutors said the money was routed through multiple entities before reaching McCluskie. The investigation included allegations involving bank fraud and financial transfers, and prosecutors have also cited communications and financial records as evidence.
Becerra has not been charged. Federal court filings have described him as a victim of the scheme, and he has said he cooperated with investigators, including by appearing before a grand jury.
Still, rival candidates are using the case to question whether Becerra can withstand scrutiny in a high-stakes statewide race.
Tom Steyer, another Democratic candidate for governor, has argued that Democrats should not nominate someone who could be burdened by legal controversy. Katie Porter, also running as a Democrat, has warned that if Becerra advances to the general election and later faces further legal complications, Republicans could benefit politically.
The controversy comes at a critical point in the race. After former Rep. Eric Swalwell exited the contest amid a sexual misconduct scandal, Becerra gained the most momentum among Democratic candidates, reshaping the primary field.
Becerra’s political burden appeared to grow further when Alejandro Mayorkas, the former Homeland Security secretary who served with him in the Biden administration, declined to endorse him. Asked about Becerra at a Politico security summit on May 12, Mayorkas said there are many capable candidates in the race and that, as a Washington, D.C., resident, he was remaining neutral.
Despite the controversy, Becerra has recently moved into the lead in at least one poll. An Emerson College survey released this week showed Becerra at 19%, ahead of Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer, who were each at 17%, within the margin of error.
Political observers are now watching whether the campaign fund scandal will disrupt Becerra’s rise in the final stretch of the primary or whether he can contain the issue by emphasizing that prosecutors have identified him as a victim rather than a participant.
