Alexis Podesta, a prominent figure in California Democratic politics and a former appointee of Gov. Gavin Newsom, wore a wire as part of a federal investigation, according to an attorney for Dana Williamson, Newsom's former chief of staff. Williamson pleaded guilty to a series of charges in May.
Podesta, 45, has been identified as "Co-Conspirator 2" in court documents related to the investigation. Prosecutors allege she took over management of former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra's dormant campaign account after Williamson joined Newsom's administration. The account was reportedly used to funnel approximately $225,000 through sham consulting payments that ultimately benefited Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s former chief of staff. Podesta herself has not been charged with a crime.
Her attorney, Bill Portanova, has confirmed that Podesta cooperated with federal investigators after discovering what he described as wrongdoing by others. The governor's office declined to comment on Podesta's continued appointment to the State Compensation Insurance Fund board, where she earns nearly $61,000 annually, citing it as a personnel matter.
Podesta has a long history in California politics. She founded the Podesta Company, a lobbying firm, in 2020. Prior to that, she served as secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency under then-Gov. Jerry Brown from 2017 to 2020. Her previous roles in state government included positions in Brown's office, director of external affairs, director of international affairs, and chief of protocol. She also held positions at PG&E and the Walt Disney Co., and served as director of scheduling for the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
Gov. Newsom appointed Podesta to the board of the State Compensation Insurance Fund in 2020, the same year he took office. The governor and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, were publicly announced to be under federal investigation last month, though details remain limited.
Outside of her government roles, Podesta has served on the board of cannabis company Body and Mind Inc., advised the startup Pacaso, and been a member of the executive networking organization Chief.