The Swamp Runs Straight Through California [WATCH]

California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton argued that former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra faces growing political and legal pressure stemming from a corruption investigation involving former senior aides, while suggesting the case could have broader implications for California politics.

During an interview with Benny Johnson, Hilton discussed the investigation involving Becerra’s former chief of staff, Sean McCluskey, and former Gavin Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson.

According to Hilton, the two cases are tied together through an alleged payment arrangement that originated after Becerra joined the Biden administration.

Johnson began by describing what he viewed as mounting problems surrounding Becerra.

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“The Democrat Party bosses don’t like him. There is a insurrection in his own office where he has his former chief of staff working with the feds, taking plea deals. This is some major hot water, and it’s causing him to obviously panic and get out in front of it.”

Johnson then asked Hilton to explain the allegations and what effect they could have on California politics.

“So the thing that this is the same story actually. The Becerra and Newsom corruption scandal is the same one.”

Hilton said the events began when Becerra became Health and Human Services secretary and wanted longtime chief of staff Sean McCluskey to accompany him to Washington.

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“This is what happened when Becerra was appointed health secretary by Biden. He wanted his longtime chief of staff, a guy called Sean McCluskey, to join him in D.C.”

According to Hilton, the arrangement allegedly involved monthly payments from Becerra’s California campaign account.

“The salary from the federal government wasn’t enough for this guy, and so they cooked up a scheme to take $10,000 a month from Becerra’s California campaign account, it was then sent to Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, who’s running a consulting firm.”

Hilton identified Newsom’s former chief of staff as Dana Williamson.

“This she’s called Dana Williamson. So you got 10,000 a month going from Becerra’s California campaign account. Remember, he was California State Attorney General. Sent to Newsom’s former chief of staff’s consulting firm, and then straight out to Becerra’s chief of staff’s wife.”

Hilton argued that the arrangement violated campaign finance and federal employment rules.

“So it’s totally illegal. You can’t use campaign accounts for paying something something else. If you’re a federal employee, you can’t be paid from another source.”

He said both former chiefs of staff have entered plea agreements and noted that sentencing dates have been delayed.

“And as you mentioned, both of them, Becerra’s former chief of staff and Newsom’s former chief of staff, have have taken plea deals.”

Hilton said McCluskey’s sentencing, originally expected the previous week, has been postponed until Oct. 1, while Williamson’s sentencing is scheduled for mid-September.

“Now it’s been delayed till October the first. Newsom’s chief of staff, the sentencing there is mid-September. I believe it’s the 16th or 17th of September.”

He questioned whether the delays were intended to push the proceedings beyond the election.

“So this is now the the sentencing’s been delayed twice for Becerra’s chief of staff. Now it’s October the first. Are you sensing a trend? Maybe they are trying to push this beyond. Their lawyers are trying to push it beyond the election.”

Hilton rejected Becerra’s reported claim that he was unaware of the payment arrangement.

“Becerra’s saying he didn’t know anything about it. It it’s incomprehensible to me that he didn’t know about it.”

He continued by arguing that the explanation did not make sense given the alleged purpose of the arrangement.

“He was his own chief of staff. This entire plot was done so that he could get his guy with him in Washington. So the idea that he didn’t know about it is ridiculous.”

Hilton added that he personally believes Becerra knew about the arrangement.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it was his idea, if it was Becerra’s idea.”

Johnson then raised California law regarding felony convictions and eligibility for public office.

“So we’re looking up right here. It looks like you can’t run for office in California if you’re a felon. You know, you’d have to wait 20 years after your felony conviction.”

Hilton responded that any effect on eligibility would depend on the outcome of future legal proceedings.

“Well, they if if they’re convicted, I mean convicted of. I don’t know what the timeline is going to be.”

He reiterated that he does not believe Becerra’s denial.

“But given the entire thing was was was designed so that he could bring his chief of staff to Washington. That is just impossible for me to believe. I don’t. I think he’s lying. I think it’s obvious that he knew.”

Hilton also referenced a witness statement that he said describes a recorded conversation between the two former chiefs of staff.

“Final point on this: in the witness statements, there’s a line in there where you’ve got the two chiefs of staff, Becerra’s and Newsom’s talking on the phone.”

According to Hilton, the statement includes an unidentified public official.

“Becerra’s chief of staff is saying, ‘Don’t worry, I spoke to square brackets public official number one, and it’s all going to be okay.'”

Hilton said he believes that reference may point to Becerra, while acknowledging that it has not been confirmed.

“Now, that to me looks like it’s Becerra. We don’t know, but that’s in the witness statement.”

Hilton concluded by arguing that the investigation, combined with other controversies involving Becerra, should remain in public view as the California governor’s race continues.