Federal investigators are examining the finances and nonprofit activities of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, according to a report detailing several ongoing Justice Department investigations.
The probes, which reportedly originated from whistleblower complaints submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento, have been underway for approximately a year.
According to the report, investigators from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service have recently contacted staff members, friends and associates connected to the Newsoms.
Federal agents have also obtained bank records as part of the investigations, according to the report.
The inquiries focus on tax matters, nonprofit organizations and business relationships involving the governor and California’s first partner.
Siebel Newsom, a filmmaker and advocate focused on gender equity issues, has maintained a prominent role in California public policy during her husband’s administration.
She has been involved in initiatives related to reproductive health, mental health, school nutrition and children’s access to social media.
The Governor’s Office characterized the federal investigation as politically motivated.
According to the report, Newsom’s office said the investigation intensified after Todd Blanche became acting head of the Justice Department.
The governor has publicly linked the investigation to speculation surrounding a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
In a social media video, Newsom accused President Donald Trump of using federal investigative powers for political purposes.
Newsom called Trump “the most corrupt president in American history” and alleged the administration was “abusing the grand jury process” to target him.
One reported area of focus involves Siebel Newsom’s work with the Representation Project nonprofit organization.
According to the report, she earned approximately $2.3 million from the organization between 2011 and 2018.
A 2021 Sacramento Bee investigation found that companies including PG&E, AT&T and Kaiser Permanente donated more than $800,000 to the nonprofit while also lobbying the governor’s administration.
Federal investigators are reportedly reviewing issues connected to those relationships.
Another investigation reportedly involves Dana Williamson, Newsom’s former chief of staff.
Williamson pleaded guilty last month to fraud and making false statements to the FBI and faces a potential prison sentence.
The report also highlighted recent enforcement actions by California’s Fair Political Practices Commission.
The commission fined Newsom $31,500 for failing to timely disclose $5.6 million in charitable donations made during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfire response.
According to the commission, the governor was late filing required reports on 34 occasions during 2025.
Newsom has previously been fined for failing to disclose approximately $14 million in charitable donations between 2019 and 2024.
Political analyst Dan Schnur said the investigations involve multiple issues that critics are likely to scrutinize.
“Trump’s allies will be able to point to a lot of smoke,” Schnur said.
He cited the first partner’s role in state government, fundraising activities and Williamson’s criminal case as factors drawing attention.
“The question is whether they have probable cause to believe that there’s fire underneath all that smoke,” Schnur said.
He added that Newsom and his supporters strongly dispute any suggestion of wrongdoing.
No criminal charges have been filed against Newsom or Siebel Newsom, and the investigations remain ongoing.
