Federal investigators are examining California Governor Gavin Newsom’s international travel and personal spending, with subpoenas issued in September requesting communications from the California State Protocol Foundation. This nonprofit organization has funded Newsom’s travel expenses using privately donated funds rather than taxpayer money.
The US Attorney’s Office reportedly sought about six years of records concerning the foundation’s donors, fundraisers, the governor’s international travel and events, and any money used for his living and personal expenses. Investigators also targeted information from several of Newsom's aides, including Becca Prowda, his chief protocol officer who oversees his international trips.
Communications between members of the Protocol Foundation’s board, who also serve as some of Newsom’s closest advisors, were also reportedly of interest to investigators. Since 2019, Newsom has directed over $7.5 million in donations from outside groups to the Protocol Foundation, with approximately $5.1 million originating from leftover inaugural funds, according to state records. Among the foundation’s top donors are companies and groups that conduct business with the state or are affected by the governor’s decisions, including CVS, a foundation for Blue Shield, and Zoox. Other contributors include the New Venture Fund and crypto billionaire Chris Larsen, as well as foundations linked to philanthropists Susie Tompkins Buell and Lisa Stone Pritzker.
Federal investigators are also reportedly looking into the taxes of First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Governor Newsom has accused former President Trump of directing the Department of Justice to investigate him and his wife for political retaliation, citing his criticism of the Trump administration and his consideration of a 2028 White House run. Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, stated, "This is what Donald Trump does to his enemies: investigate first, hunt for a crime that doesn’t exist second."
Documents obtained by The Post show Newsom had more than 30 briefings or meetings with Prowda regarding his travel schedule and engagements with foreign leaders. This year, Newsom traveled to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, an international security conference in Munich, and London to sign an environmental pact. His past travel includes a weeklong delegation trip to China in 2023.
Key figures involved with the Protocol Foundation include its chair, Steve Kawa, a former chief of staff to Newsom when he was San Francisco mayor, and Jason Elliott, a longtime advisor who also serves on the foundation's board. Jim DeBoo, who previously served as Newsom’s chief of staff, is listed as secretary of the Protocol Foundation.
The US Attorney’s Office and the Protocol Foundation have not immediately responded to requests for comment. Officials for the foundation told the San Francisco Standard that they could not discuss the investigation but stated that the organization "has proudly supported both Republican and Democratic administrations in fulfilling their duties representing all of California through public events and international engagements."
The foundation’s expenses extend beyond the governor’s travels, reportedly covering costs for Newsom’s State of the State speech delivered in an empty Dodger Stadium during the pandemic and for burner phones sent to top tech CEOs. At the end of 2024, the foundation had spent nearly $600,000 more than it had brought in over the preceding two years, leaving it with $7,790 in net funds, according to IRS records.