California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton wants the FBI to question rival Xavier Becerra again. This request comes after three close associates pleaded guilty in a federal corruption case. The case involves the alleged theft of $225,000 from Becerra’s campaign account. Hilton sent a letter dated August 30 to top officials. He asked Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to act. The letter also addressed U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California. Hilton argues that new evidence requires a fresh look at what Becerra knew.
The investigation centers on money funneled through a consulting firm. The firm was run by Dana Williamson. She served as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff. The funds allegedly went to the wife of Sean McCluskie. McCluskie was Becerra’s longtime aide and former chief of staff. Three people have now pleaded guilty to their roles in this scheme. These individuals are McCluskie, Williamson, and Sacramento lobbyist Greg Campbell. Their guilty pleas occurred after they were indicted in November 2025.
BREAKING: Becerra/Newsom chiefs of staff federal criminal probe must be re-opened:
– Witness statement contradicts Becerra claim he didn’t know about the criminal scheme
– Becerra must be re-interviewed by the FBI
– Voters must know if he’s a criminal BEFORE the election… pic.twitter.com/Pr9oN3tOUJ— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) August 30, 2026
Hilton believes federal investigators missed the main point during their first talk with Becerra. He stated that the former HHS Secretary needs to be pressed harder. Hilton stated that Becerra was not the focus when investigators first spoke to him. The investigation had centered on other people at that time. However, Hilton says the situation has changed since then. He told reporters that it is “impossible to believe Becerra didn’t know about the scheme”, according to RedState.
The candidate argues that Becerra’s current claims do not match the facts. Hilton said that since Becerra is now a candidate for governor, his statements are inconsistent with the evidence. He also stated that Becerra “needs to be put under oath and asked very direct questions about every aspect of this”, according to the New York Post. Hilton insists that vague answers are no longer acceptable for a top candidate.
Hilton views this scandal as a major threat to the state. He shared his strong views on the matter. He described Becerra as a “36-year career politician”. He added that the real problem is the corruption involved. Hilton stated that the really terrible thing is that he’s up to his neck in a corruption scandal.
BREAKING: Becerra/Newsom chiefs of staff federal criminal probe must be re-opened:
– Witness statement contradicts Becerra claim he didn’t know about the criminal scheme
– Becerra must be re-interviewed by the FBI
– Voters must know if he’s a criminal BEFORE the election… pic.twitter.com/Pr9oN3tOUJ— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) August 30, 2026
The money trail involves funds taken from a specific account. Hilton explained that the scheme involved his former chief of staff. He said, “It’s involving his former chief of staff, and they took money from a California campaign account and used it to top up this other guy’s salary when he was chief of staff to Becerra when he was HHS secretary”, according to the New York Post. This payment happened while Becerra served as the Health and Human Services Secretary. The funds were allegedly used to increase McCluskie’s salary during that time.
Republican candidate Michael Gates supports Hilton’s demand for a new inquiry. Both men argue that the evidence has grown since the initial interview. They believe the public deserves to know the truth about the payments. Hilton told reporters that he does not know if Becerra lied. However, he insists on getting the full story out. Hilton said, “I don’t know whether he knew, I don’t know whether he lied, but the public deserves to know the answers”.
The core question remains what the candidate knew about his own staff. Hilton noted that the central question was not pressed before. He stated, “He was not pressed on the central question: What did he know about the scheme involving his own campaign account and his own chief of staff?”. The logic follows that if the staff did it, the boss likely knew. Hilton said, “That suggests that he did know”. The request for a re-interview aims to close this gap in the investigation.
My opponents have spent millions spreading lies to purposefully mislead voters.
Today confirms what I have said from day one: I did nothing wrong. Case closed.
Now let’s continue the fight for the working people of California who deserve a Governor that leads with the truth. https://t.co/cHmivcVxTa
— Xavier Becerra (@XavierBecerra) May 14, 2026
