What Did He Know and When Did He Know It? Becerra Buckles as Federal Corruption Scandal Deepens

Becerra still won’t say if he will be implicated in the case involving his closest aide who pleaded guilty to stealing $225,000 in campaign funds

SAN FRANCISCO — Xavier Becerra’s bad week just keeps getting worse. Following a day full of criticism for asking a journalist for special treatment, a new “bombshell” report on the front page of today’s Los Angeles Times calls out “repeated questions about his financial judgment.” The report laid out the full scope of the corruption scandal plaguing Becerra, who still refuses to definitively answer questions about what his involvement in his staffers’ scheme really was. 

Despite the uncertainty on Becerra’s involvement, the facts remain: his right-hand man for over ten years, Sean McCluskie, funneled $225,000 from a Becerra campaign account. He even created a “no-show” job for his own wife. McCluskie ended up pleading guilty, only after he was caught by the FBI.

With increased attention on the corruption scandal this week, Xavier Becerra still refuses to give straight answers on:

• Knowledge: Becerra previously said he “authorized” the payments, so why is he now claiming he “didn’t oversee” them?
• Timeline: When did Becerra learn that campaign funds were being misused?
• Transparency: Why has Becerra been dodging the press when it comes to his role and knowledge?
• Trust: What else have voters not been told as the investigation closes in on his most trusted advisors?

“Xavier Becerra has been given endless opportunities to give Californians a straight answer and he refuses to do so,” said Steyer for Governor spokesperson Danni Wang. “Was he incompetent or corrupt? Either way, California deserves more from their next chief executive.”

We’re not the only ones asking these questions. In an appearance on CNN this week, Katie Porter asserted that, “Secretary Becerra cannot and has not guaranteed or promised the people of California that he will not be named as a co-conspirator and indicted.” 

We agree, Katie. California voters deserve to know, too.

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