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ARE THE RATS DESERTING A SINKING SHIP? Where the biggest Ca POLITICAL SCANDAL to surface in decades in decades has progressed in 3 weeks !!!SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A widening federal corruption probe has thrust two of California’s most prominent Democratic officials into the political spotlight — though neither Gov. Gavin Newsom nor Attorney General Rob Bonta has been accused of wrongdoing, according to federal court filings.The investigation intensified last month when Dana Williamson, Newsom’s former chief of staff, was indicted by U.S. prosecutors on 23 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, falsifying documents, and filing false tax returns. Federal authorities allege Williamson helped orchestrate a scheme to divert more than $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.According to the indictment, funds from the old Becerra campaign committee were funneled into a “no-show job” benefitting the spouse of a former Becerra aide — while falsified filings and back-dated documents were used to conceal the payments.Two Guilty Pleas Strengthen Prosecutors’ CaseTwo key figures connected to the alleged scheme have already pleaded guilty.Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s former chief of staff, admitted to a count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.Greg Campbell, a Sacramento lobbyist and longtime political operative, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and bank/wire fraud.The guilty pleas signal that both men may cooperate with prosecutors as the case moves toward trial — and deepen political fallout in Sacramento, where several of the individuals involved previously held senior positions within Democratic administrations.No Charges Against Newsom — But Political Pressure RisesProsecutors have not alleged any involvement by Gov. Gavin Newsom, nor have they indicated he is a target of the investigation. However, Williamson’s long-time role as a top adviser to the governor has sparked questions from critics about oversight and internal controls inside the administration.Newsom’s office has not commented beyond noting that the governor is not implicated and that Williamson left her government role years before the conduct cited in the indictment.Rob Bonta’s $468,000 Legal Tab Draws AttentionSeparately, Attorney General Rob Bonta has faced scrutiny after campaign-finance records revealed his political committee spent nearly $500,000 on legal fees in connection with an unrelated federal investigation into alleged corruption in Oakland.Bonta’s camp says he was not a subject or target of that probe and hired outside counsel only to ensure his cooperation was handled properly. Federal authorities have not accused Bonta of wrongdoing.Still, watchdog groups have filed formal complaints arguing that using campaign funds for personal legal defense — even when cooperating — may violate state political-finance rules. The matter is pending review.Two Scandals, One Political EarthquakeThough the Williamson/Becerra case and the Oakland corruption probe are unrelated, the overlapping headlines have fueled a narrative of ethical turmoil inside California’s Democratic establishment.Republican lawmakers have already called for legislative inquiries and greater controls over dormant campaign accounts — long criticized as loopholes in state finance law.What Comes NextWilliamson is expected to appear in federal court early next year. Her trial — if it proceeds — will likely feature testimony from the two aides who have pleaded guilty.Meanwhile, campaign-finance regulators are weighing complaints tied to Bonta’s legal spending, though no enforcement action has been taken.For now, neither Newsom nor Bonta faces criminal exposure. But with federal prosecutors continuing to expand interviews and review financial records, California’s political landscape could see more turbulence in the months ahead.