{"id":9744,"date":"2026-05-15T15:34:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=9744"},"modified":"2026-05-15T15:34:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:34:30","slug":"becerra-accused-of-breaking-campaign-finance-laws-while-he-accepts-500k-from-big-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=9744","title":{"rendered":"Becerra accused of breaking campaign finance laws while he accepts $500k from big oil"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 300px 160px; gap: 2px; width: 460px; background: #eee; padding: 2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u6574\u884c\u5bbd\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876674\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = 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{}});<\/script>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Former Biden cabinet secretary and California gubernatorial frontrunner\u00a0Xavier Becerra\u00a0is facing scrutiny on two separate fronts \u2014 an anonymous complaint accusing him of violating California campaign finance laws and a fresh $500,000 boost from a major oil producer backing his run for governor.<\/p>\n<p>The two issues are unrelated, and there is no allegation that accepting oil industry money violated campaign finance law. <\/p>\n<p>But the developments have intensified attacks on Becerra from rivals already seeking to paint the former attorney general as too close to corporate interests as the June primary nears.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>California gubernatorial candidate, Xavier Becerra <span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The campaign finance controversy centers on allegations that Becerra improperly used a dormant attorney general campaign account after leaving office to join former President\u00a0Joe Biden\u2019s administration as secretary of Health and Human Services, the Sacramento Bee reported. <\/p>\n<p>Becerra\u2019s inactive attorney general campaign committee allegedly paid more than $74,000 to longtime adviser Dana Williamson\u2019s firm, Grace Public Affairs, between January 2021 and December 2022 \u2014 after Becerra had already left state office, according to a complaint submitted to California\u2019s Fair Political Practices Commission. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>Williamson, who faced a 23-count federal indictment, pleaded guilty to federal fraud and tax charges after reaching a deal with prosecutors.\u00a0Becerra\u00a0has not been accused of wrongdoing but has faced political scrutiny over the scandal while leading the California governor\u2019s race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Dana Williamson <span class=\"credit\">REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Under California\u2019s Political Reform Act, campaign funds are considered \u201csurplus\u201d once a candidate leaves office and can only be used for limited purposes, including paying debts, charitable donations, party activities, or complying with campaign finance rules.<\/p>\n<p>Becerra previously said the payments were intended to ensure the committee complied with campaign finance laws and said he did not know the expenditures were allegedly improper.<\/p>\n<p>The complaint comes as Becerra is also drawing renewed criticism over his relationship with the oil industry after a major independent committee supporting his campaign received a massive infusion from the California Resources Corporation, one of the state\u2019s largest oil drillers.<\/p>\n<p>The company contributed a whopping half a million this week to Working Families for Healthy Communities Supporting Becerra for Governor 2026, an independent committee backed by labor and healthcare groups.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Xavier Becerra speaking at a debate for governor of California. <span class=\"credit\">REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe support campaigns and candidates that prioritize affordable and reliable energy for all Californians, while ensuring the state makes progress towards its climate goals,\u201d California Resources Corporation spokesperson Hailey Bonus told Politico. <\/p>\n<p>The donation dwarfs the $39,200 that oil giant Chevron previously donated directly to Becerra\u2019s campaign earlier in the race \u2014 a contribution that sparked backlash from fellow Democratic candidates\u00a0Katie Porter\u00a0and\u00a0Tom Steyer, both of whom have pledged not to accept fossil fuel money.<\/p>\n<p>Oil industry donations have emerged as a dividing line among Democratic contenders in the increasingly combative governor\u2019s race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> <span class=\"credit\">LinkedIn\/California Resources Corporation<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The issue has become an even greater point of division following allegations involving Eric Swalwell and rising oil prices driven by instability in the Middle East. California\u2019s average gas price is now well above $6 per gallon, while the national average sits around $4.50, according to AAA.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump has called for the suspension of the federal gas tax in response to rising fuel costs. In California, candidates, including Matt Mahan and Steve Hilton, have weighed in on the issue. Both candidates have called on the current administration in Sacramento to suspend the state gas tax, while also pledging to take similar action if elected. Governor Gavin Newsom has held out.<\/p>\n<p>During an April gubernatorial forum hosted by the League of California Cities, Becerra openly defended Chevron while pushing back against criticism over the company\u2019s support.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChevron \u2014 that\u2019s the problem with politics \u2014 they\u2019re not the bad guy,\u201d Becerra said during the event.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoes everybody here drive an electric vehicle? You need Chevron, I need Chevron, the people of the state of California need Chevron,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>Becerra\u2019s campaign has previously defended his record on climate and fossil fuel accountability.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cXavier Becerra has never been bought by a check and his record proves it,\u201d campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland previously told Politico.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt every opportunity, he has taken action to hold companies accountable and has been very vocal about the impact that fossil fuel companies have had on the climate, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The former health secretary has seen a sharp rise in polling in recent months, emerging as one of the leading Democratic contenders in the race to succeed termed-out Gov.\u00a0Gavin Newsom.<\/p>\n<p>The California Post has reached out to the Becerra camp for comment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- \u603b\u5bb9\u5668\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u5bbd908px Grid\u7d27\u51d1\u5e03\u5c40 -->\r\n<div style=\"display: grid; 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