New reports from KCRA reveals layers of corruption surrounding Becerra’s campaign and allies

SAN FRANCISCO — Xavier Becerra is facing renewed scrutiny after a new investigative report detailing a growing pattern of corruption entangling Becerra — as millions in corporate money pours in to boost Becerra’s campaign. 

KCRA’s in-depth investigation that aired last night unpacked Becerra’s close ties to a political firm connected to people accused of stealing money under Becerra’s watch — the same firm that is now supporting Becerra’s bid for governor. 

Becerra, whose former top adviser is facing nearly two dozen federal charges and is reportedly in plea negotiations with prosecutors on corruption charges relating to the management of his campaign, in addition to his former chief of staff who was indicted on corruption charges, has changed his story about his own role in the ongoing scandal. In November 2025, he said he was fully aware of the payments currently under investigation, but then, six months later, he claimed to have no knowledge of them. 

So what did Becerra know, and when did he know it? Was he complicit in the corrupt scheme, or simply asleep at the wheel once again?

The new report ties Becerra even more tightly to the corrupt political machine that continues to prioritize special interests like utility monopolies and  Big Oil over California families – and is spending tens of millions of dollars to distort Tom Steyer’s record. 

“The only person who's ready to change things in California is me,” said Steyer, to a packed town hall in San Jose. “We've got too much business in our government. Our healthcare system is too much about profits and not enough about healthcare. We’ve got lobbyists in our government and special interests that dictate what happens. The system works because the special interests are writing the rules for how it's supposed to work.”

Steyer also yesterday released a new anti-corruption plan to crack down on corruption in Sacramento, taking direct aim at the outsized influence of corporations and special interests in California politics.

“The corporations are controlling our politicians. They're writing the rules, and they're rigging the system for themselves,” said Steyer. “Xavier Becerra has taken the maximum money for Big Oil, he’s also taken money from utilities monopolies, and then after taking the money, he refused to prosecute them. That is how the system works. We don't need people who are going to answer to corporate special interests. We need people who will stand up to corporate special interests.”

The proposal lays out a bold framework to curb corporate power, strengthen oversight, and restore public trust in government and can be read here. 

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