Becerra's closest advisor pleaded guilty in a criminal case. His gubernatorial rivals are piling on

"Now Becerra is under attack in California's wide-open governor's race after McCluskie, 57, pleaded guilty in December to stealing more than $200,000 from Becerra's campaign account. The charges were part of a broader scandal that implicated or brushed up against some of Sacramento's most influential Democratic political advisors, a scheme prosecutors allege included payments, bank fraud and an FBI sting operation that swept McCluskie's incriminating private conversations and texts into evidence."

"Rivals in the California governor's race have seized on the case to question whether Becerra, one of the front-runners in the contest to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, is fit for office and could be swept up in the case. "We can't have someone who is running as a Democrat who could run into legal difficulties," said candidate Tom Steyer, who is close to Becerra in the polls."

"Becerra has not been accused of wrongdoing, and prosecutors' court filings describe him as a victim. He told The Times that he cooperated with investigators, including appearing before the grand jury. "Sean was as close as any staffer that I've ever had," Becerra said in an interview last week, describing how McCluskie moved across the country twice to work for him."

"He added that he's "racked" his brain to understand the case involving McCluskie and his longtime political consultant, Dana Williamson, both of whom he described as "very highly accomplished people." Williamson, who also served as Gov. Gavin Newsom's chief of staff, was indicted in November."

Sean McCluskie served as a trusted advisor to Xavier Becerra across decades of political advancement in Washington and Sacramento. McCluskie was known for a combative style that complemented Becerra’s more measured approach. In December, McCluskie pleaded guilty to stealing more than $200,000 from Becerra’s campaign account. Prosecutors allege the theft was part of a wider scandal involving payments, bank fraud, and an FBI sting that produced incriminating private communications. Rivals in California’s governor race used the case to question whether Becerra is fit for office. Becerra has not been accused and is described by prosecutors as a victim, while he says he cooperated with investigators and appeared before a grand jury.

Read at Los Angeles Times