California Governor Gavin Newsom has retained the services of prominent defense attorney Abbe Lowell, who previously represented Hunter Biden, as federal investigators scrutinize financial and nonprofit matters involving the governor's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
Newsom confirmed on Tuesday that he had engaged Lowell, a seasoned white-collar defense attorney known for representing high-profile figures in politically charged cases. Lowell's past clients include Hunter Biden, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and former Senators Bob Menendez and John Edwards.
Lowell also has a history of representing individuals who have accused the Trump administration of targeting them, such as New York Attorney General Letitia James and former Department of Homeland Security official Miles Taylor.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that at least two federal investigations connected to Newsom's family and political circle are being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California. These inquiries reportedly originated from whistleblowers and individuals in Sacramento.
One investigation is reportedly focused on tax-related matters concerning Jennifer Siebel Newsom, including financial arrangements tied to her nonprofit and filmmaking endeavors. A separate inquiry previously centered on former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson, who has since pleaded guilty in a federal fraud case that prosecutors stated emerged from an investigation initiated during the Biden administration.
The Los Angeles Times reported that nonprofits and a for-profit production company founded by Siebel Newsom are at the core of the federal review of her charitable and business finances. The Justice Department and FBI have not publicly commented on these investigations.
Among the organizations under scrutiny is The Representation Project, a nonprofit that tax records show has paid Siebel Newsom over $1.9 million in compensation. This nonprofit also awarded approximately $2.2 million in contracts to Girls Club Entertainment, a for-profit production company owned by Siebel Newsom.
Another nonprofit founded by Siebel Newsom, the California Partners Project, has received nearly $5.1 million in "behested payments" since 2020, according to state disclosures. Behested payments are donations made at an elected official's request for charitable, legislative, or governmental purposes, rather than direct campaign contributions.
Newsom and his wife have asserted that the current Justice Department is orchestrating investigations as retaliation for their criticisms of former President Donald Trump. However, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, when asked in a recent interview about the origins of the probes, stated she was unaware of the specific details.
When questioned about whether he had been contacted by federal investigators, Newsom told KCRA-3 in California that he believes it is only a matter of time. "It's inevitable, come on," Newsom said, referring to the political landscape. "Look at who we're dealing with."