California Governor Gavin Newsom has retained Abbe Lowell, the defense attorney who represented Hunter Biden in his federal criminal cases, as the Justice Department investigates allegations of public corruption involving Newsom, his wife, and current and former staff members.
Multiple Federal Investigations Underway
The US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California is conducting several investigations into the Newsom administration, according to sources familiar with the matter. The probes date back at least a year and include allegations brought by California whistleblowers regarding Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s taxes and Dana Williamson, the governor’s former chief of staff. Neither the governor nor his wife has been contacted by federal officials or received subpoenas, Newsom stated during a Tuesday press conference.
Eric Grant, US Attorney for the Eastern District of California, is handling the case. Sources suggest Newsom’s public announcement of hiring Lowell may stem from concerns about who investigators have already contacted. One source characterized the move as an attempt to undermine the investigation’s credibility before it advances further.
Fundraising Off Legal Troubles
Newsom moved quickly to capitalize on the controversy. Within hours of releasing a video accusing President Donald Trump of weaponizing the Department of Justice, his political action committee Campaign for Democracy launched a fundraising email requesting donations for legal defense and political strategy. The effort proved successful, raising $250,000 in two weeks through three associated accounts, primarily from small-dollar individual contributions.
The governor publicly dismissed the federal investigation as a fishing expedition. However, sources indicate the scope extends beyond Newsom himself to include multiple current and former administration officials, suggesting a broader examination of potential wrongdoing during his tenure.
Lowell’s Controversial Track Record
Lowell brings extensive experience representing high-profile Democrats, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. He defended Hunter Biden in both his California federal tax case and Delaware illegal firearms conviction. President Joe Biden later pardoned his son despite guilty pleas and jury convictions on multiple felonies.
The attorney’s representation of Hunter Biden resulted in significant legal trouble. IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler filed a lawsuit in September 2024 accusing Lowell of acting with clear malice by alleging to media outlets that they illegally leaked Hunter Biden’s private tax information. The case concluded with Lowell settling for $20 million, raising questions about his tactics in defending prominent political figures facing federal scrutiny.
