Sen. Nancy Skinner, Gov. Gavin Newsom, First Partner. (Photo: gov.ca.gov)
California is FOR SALE: Gavin Newsom’s Pay-to-Play Politics
…and using his wife’s non-profits as a political slush fund
By Katy Grimes, August 3, 2025 2:55 am
Governor Gavin Newsom “used his office to try to block a small tribe from opening a casino in Northern California, after taking nearly $2 million from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a major California political donor which operates its own gambling compound just 15 miles away from its rival’s proposed site, which broke ground on a $1 billion expansion in 2023,” the Washington Free Beacon reported in July.
Known as “behested” payments, this isn’t the Governor’s first rodeo. He accepted more than $700,000 from two major law firms in 2021 to both create and defend his Executive Order to repeal death penalty rules and dismantle the death chamber at San Quentin, James Lacy reported.
Gov. Gavin Newsom “behested” $3.5 million in 2018, the year he was elected governor. In 2019, he reported behested payments totaling $12.1 million, the Orange County Register reported in “Behested payments and the specter of corruption.”
But wait! There’s more.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and when the governor’s emergency powers were greatly expanded, payments to various entities – at Newsom’s “behest” – shot up to a whopping $226 million, according to data from the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), Fox News reported:
$45 million from Blue Shield of California and Kaiser Permanente for his housing initiative – and then the governor chose both Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente to help manage vaccine distribution in California.
Between 2018 and 2019, UnitedHealth donated $220,000 to political committees controlled by Newsom, who later awarded $492 million in contracts to UnitedHealth subsidiaries in no-bid and expedited situations.
There is a lot more, but you get the point.
The Free Beacon continues:
“In April 2024, a few months before Newsom sent his letter to the Biden Interior Department, the Democratic governor requested Graton Rancheria to contribute $500,000 to his wife’s charity, the California Partners Project. And in April 2025, one month before Newsom filed his lawsuit against the Trump administration, he again asked Graton Rancheria to contribute another $500,000 to his wife’s charity. The tribe cut those checks specifically at Newsom’s request, according to California’s “behested payments” database, which discloses whenever state elected officials request others to make donations on their behalf.
While the data doesn’t show an explicit quid pro quo between Newsom and Graton Rancheria, several ethics experts told the Washington Free Beacon that Newsom’s charitable solicitations from the tribe to his wife’s charity just before he used the powers of his office to try to block its rival from opening a competing casino raises major red flags.”
Siebel Newsom’s California Partners Project “champions gender equity across the state and ensures our states media and technology industries are a force for good in the lives of all children.”
Siebel Newsom has another charity, “The Representation Project,” in which she produces “Gender Justice” films and sells them to California’s public schools.
“California Governor Gavin Newsom helped bankroll his wife’s charity with nearly $2million he solicited from a Native American tribe – while fighting on its behalf to kill a rival casino,” The Daily Mail reported this week.
“Now the governor’s office has reacted angrily to questions Daily Mail asked about the payments, called it ‘insulting and offensive’ to even be asked whether his official actions on behalf on the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR) amount to a quid-pro-quo. Records show that the governor personally requested the ‘behest payments’ from FIGR.”
“The Bay Area tribe donated $1.8million to The California Partners Project, a nonprofit co-founded by Newsom’s wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and another $450,000 to fund his inaugurations.
Newsom and the state then joined the tribe’s efforts to block a casino from opening just 15 miles from theirs, filing a lawsuit in May challenging the federal government’s approval of the project.”
Records show that from 2018 to 2024, the California governor solicited a total of $2.25million from the FIGR – with the majority going to Jennifer’s charity, the Daily Mail said.
This is pay-to-play politics, or legally known as “quid pro quo”, Latin meaning “something for something.”
While the citizens of the state were locked down under Gov. Newsom’s covid orders, Gavin Newsom and the Legislature also slithered a bill through committees in 2020 to ratify separate tribal-state gaming compacts between the State of California and six California tribes. SB 869, the Tribal gaming: compact ratification for:
- the Ione Band of Miwok Indians
- the Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California
- the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians
- the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
- the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation
- the Tule River Indian Tribe
The compacts authorized the Tribes to engage in Class III Gaming, which governs most slots and casino table games like Random Number Generator slots, blackjack, craps and roulette.
The governor and legislature also exempted the six tribes from the California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, which identifies environmental impact reports on construction projects, was well as mitigation measures, such as increased traffic, excessive road use, noise, etc…
SB 869 (Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa), ratified in 2020 the tribal-state gaming compacts entered into between the State of California and the above-named tribes. “The bill provides that, in deference to tribal sovereignty, certain actions related to these compacts and amended compacts are not projects for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.”
The bill also authorized the Governor, under the California Constitution, to negotiate and conclude compacts, subject to ratification by the Legislature.
This brings us to a lawsuit filed in March, which the Globe reported on, and states, “The Ione Band of Miwok Indians is not on any of the four lists of historically recognized Indian tribes composed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) after the adoption of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA).” The lawsuit challenges federal government actions on behalf of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians:
As the lawsuit states, “Defendant Bureau of Indian Affairs and Laverdure, based on the Indian trust, unlawfully reached the May 24, 2012 ROD conclusion that the Ione Band was eligible, as a “federally recognized tribe” under federal jurisdiction in 1934, to have the Secretary “acquire 228.04 acres of land into trust for” its benefit under Section 5 of the IRA.”
Specifically, the lawsuit says that, “The Ione Band is not on any of the four lists of historically recognized Indian tribes composed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) after the adoption of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA).”
“With the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions having fundamentally changed the Indian trust relationship, the Indian canons of statutory construction are being rejected,” the lawsuit says. “The federal Indian policy of promoting tribal sovereignty causes harm to all persons not accorded the special status by displacing the structural, due process and equal protection limitations the Constitution imposes on the federal government.”
Each one of the Individual Plaintiffs lives within sight of the 12 land parcels that are claimed to have been taken into federal “trust” status that removes these lands as “Indian country” from all local planning, zoning and enforcement of any local municipal ordinances. One Individual Plaintiff owns real property directly adjacent to several of the federally owned parcels. Each one of these Individual Plaintiffs must drive by these land parcels to access their grocery store. This proposed tribal casino project has adversely affected their property values and threatens to destroy the use and quiet enjoyment of their individual properties.
In June, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro requested a 57-day extension until August 12, 2025, for Defendants’ response to the deadline, because Pirro was assigned
the case coinciding with her appointment to the U.S. Attorney’s Office by the Trump administration. “As a result, the undersigned also needs sufficient time to confer with the agencies about this matter.” The U.S. Attorney represents the agencies and individual defendants in their official capacities.
In the extension, Pirro acknowledges:
In support of this motion, the undersigned counsel states the following:
1. Plaintiff appears to bring this action against the Defendants challenging the alleged “inclusion, on November 2, 1994, by the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs, of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians in the list of Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Federally
Recognized Indian Tribe List Act” as well as the alleged “acceptances into federal trust by the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, first, on March 20, 2020, of ten (10) parcels of land under Section 203 of the Indian Land
Consolidation Act (25 U.S.C. § 2202), and then, on October 17, 2024, of two (2) parcels of land under Section 5 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. § 5108), each parcel of which had been owned by a private donor in fee simple and located in Amador County and Plymouth, California.”
In a nation built on free enterprise and personal responsibility, the abuse of nonprofit organizations and behest contributions by political elites like California Governor Gavin Newsom represents a betrayal of American values, Richie Greenberg and I reported in March.
These mechanisms, intended to foster benevolence, charity and public good, have instead morphed into a taxpayer-subsidized slush fund for the well-connected, allowing politicians across America to enrich their families, reward donors, and dodge accountability—all while cloaking their schemes in the guise of altruism. This is not just unethical; it’s a direct assault on the principles of limited government and fair play.
Non-profit organizations and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become a shadow government in the U.S. It’s time to expose this racket and demand legislative reform to shut it down.
And… August 12 is just around the corner.
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A California native and Navy mom, Katy lives in Sacramento, CA.
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Original California tribes did not have sophisticated technology. Nor did they have written language, However, their self-proclaimed descendants have mastered pay to play.
Anyone know a good chiropractor that can help first partner fix her neck?
Seems it is always tilting to her left???
Perhaps the first partner’s adaptive behavior. Notwithstanding previous campaign maneuvers, constant vigilance by peering around corners in his direction, supports long term family cohesion.
Oh yeah, that was the photo where the Worst Governor Ever (Gavin Newsom) — while touting no-limits go-for-to-9th-month abortion — was wholesomely and not accidentally dressed in a white button-down shirt and cashmere sweater like the Menendez brothers on trial for the gruesomely bloody machine gun murder of their parents. Also notice in the photo that First Wifey Jennifer Siebel-Newsom is wearing a dress that also not-accidentally looked resembled a church choir robe.
My first impression after viewing that nauseous photo left me with a strong hankering to go onto YouTube and watch old episodes of the Leave It To Beaver Show.
Soooo Ward and June Cleaver.
No kidding!
First Partner looks like a puzzled poodle with her head always cocked to one side? Maybe being one of Weinstein’s willing trollops has something to do with it and why she also always has a smirk on her face? (https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/oct/17/harvey-weinstein-defense-can-use-gavin-newsoms-wif/)
LOL!
Katy chose a great picture, to highlight the sheer emotion on these dem faces. They all look like they just had a bad burrito for lunch. I see miserable, constipated faces in that crowd.
Then if you zoom in on the first partner’s face , forget the blonde hair just look at the face, she looks like Nancy Pelosi’s younger twin, the eyebrows, eyes. and that jokereqsue smirk. It would be great to have a side by side of just their faces. Once ya see it you can’t unsee it.
I once looked at a close-up photo of Nancy, and through each eye there was a silhouette of an inverted bat. /s
I think I can see it, Cali Girl. Nancy’s face in Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the First Wifey! Wow.
Creepy right?
Yes
Either could play the prop in Hamlet.
I see a younger Hillary Clinton, the “grand dame” of corruption in politics and self-enrichment thru governance…
“California Partners Project” other words a partners in crime project to enrich themselves and hold power and control over others, including the very people they “ behest” from!!
Again, EVIL!
Indictments, prosecutions, convictions, and serious prison time for all of these criminals. Who deserves it more, I ask you? And now that the Washington Free Beacon and the UK Daily Mail are on it in addition to our own stalwart and relentless Katy Grimes (God bless her) and Open the Books and Jen Van Laar, maybe, just maybe, we can get some traction on this ultra-destructive stuff from the very people who are supposed to be serving us, such as the Worst Governor Ever, Gavin Newsom, and bring this wish closer to fulfillment?
And throw the book at the First Wifey too!
We’ve had ENOUGH.
Newsom needs to be hauled before a tribunal and be held accountable for his many crimes against humanity. He and his wretched soul have a lot to answer for.
He HAS no soul, Samantha…
He sold it to the highest bidder….
A parallel to Matthew 4:1-11 except Gavin accepted the deal….and so did Jennifer, aka “First Partner” (in crime)
Out of all of the criminal Democrat mafia thugs that control California, “Hair-gel Hitler” Newsom and his First Partner (aka Weinstein’s trollop) seem to have perfected the pay for play and behested shakedown payments? They’ve provided a blueprint to follow for the rest of the Democrat mafioso criminals in political office? It looks like even that obsequious parasite Attorney General Rob Bonta has gotten in on the behested shakedown scheme? Democrat Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, an out and loud member of the alphabet rainbow mob, seems to be an up and coming master at behested payments? It’s expensive taking all those extravagant trips around the world that Lara taken (probably with his boy toys in tow) and behest shakedowns are one way to pay for it?
EXACTLY, TJ.
We all need to stop and let the thoughts sink in. HOW MANY Californians do you suppose have been very seriously negatively affected by these people’s scheming criminality? Millions?
Hair-gel Hitler Newsom and the rest of the criminal Democrat thug mafia that controls California think they’re above the law and they view hardworking Californian taxpayers as slaves on the Democrat plantation who exist to be exploited.
YES
Ya know TJ,
I think Killary and Bill Clinton would be very jealous of these two.
They took the foundation grift to a whole new level!
You betcha!
This is no small potatoes.
The Free Beacon article is worth reading in it’s entirety!
Newsom has a nonprofit, The California Protocol Foundation it pays for his travel. and his benefactors pay into the California Protocol.
As per, Free Beacon:
[Ethics watchdog Michael Chamberlain, the director of Protect the Public’s Trust, said the favors Newsom performed for Graton Rancheria may have run afoul of a California state law that requires state officials to recuse themselves from matters where they have a conflict of interest.]
The Koi Nation case just might be what leads to Newsom’s undoing! It is a Federal Case, under Judge Jeanine’s purview.
https://freebeacon.com/california/corporate-donors-gave-big-to-a-newsom-family-charity-then-the-california-governor-took-their-side-on-state-issues/
Thanks for the heads up Cali Girl —- I didn’t have a chance to read the Free Beacon article today.
Will be sure to do that now.
The “Koi Nation” ??? Are you kidding us???
“…the Koi Nation, a tribe with fewer than 100 members.”” The Koi Nation, however, says its roots to the land date back 3,000 years, and said Newsom’s opposition to its proposed casino reflects a “fundamental misunderstanding of federal law.”
And you just KNOW that if “Joe Biden” approved the casino, it’s SHADY….he probably wanted his 10% of the casino winnings…
This is probably actually a bunch of koi fish hobbyists with one member that has 1/64th Native American DNA that has decided to feed at the government teat…..via a “casino”
Perhaps Gavin looks in a mirror to see, among other things, The Great Spirit White Grizzly Father.
I believe the dismantling of certain prison facilities over the last few or more years were nothing short of a quiet public relations stunt to influence his standing among the afore mentioned groups.
Whining and sniveling about
Newsome is futile and in fact doing so fuels is ego.
On a positive note he’s not a pedophile nor harboring same.
On what basis do you make such an unusual claim, one way or the other?
Hi Brandon (He/Him)!!!
Zzyzx- Mr. and Mrs. Adrenochrome?
Gavin Newscum is a lying, cheating, crooked, vile pile of dog schit snake-oil salesman. Never believe a word that comes out of that dirt-bags mouth. Is there something in the water in California that makes Californians vote for these slimy crooks over and over?
No, just gerrymandering, ballot harvesting, voter apathy and dominion voting machines.
Unfortunately for you Long Time Texan, many of those voters have moved out your way.
Dominion….
Thank Alex Padilla for that one…
Newsom is raising a lot of money for his wife’s porn company with materials distributed to children.
Indian casinos rot out all surrounding communities.
Plus they are loaded with people who definitely look like they can’t afford to waste even another dime, yet they fill the casinos and empty their pockets. And the few “Indians” who benefit laugh all the way to the bank in their Rolls Royce SUV’s. Not joking, her vanity license plate gave the whole scam away. Sure hope these Indian casino customers are not the ones who later claim “food insecurity” and they will never be able to buy a home in California.
Full audit of the past few decades of Indian casino impacts on our state needs to be undertaken, before they rot out the state to its core. Spend some time at your local Indian casino and share your perceptions too. They look like they intend to take down an entire population group, and put them on more government dependencies at the same time. What is a “Boom Boom Tiki Room” doing in Solvang right opposite the tatty Indian casino hotel takeover, in that previous well-curated local town. Creepy.
There was no positive state benefit when we allowed Indian casinos to enter our state. None. Just like “legal” marijuana- another 100% failed state net benefit .
“There was no positive state benefit when we allowed Indian casinos to enter our state.”
Except to add to the campaign coffers of the California politicians, including ‘Good Republican’ Arnold Schwarzenegger, who supported them. And after all, isn’t that why they were allowed to be created in the first place?
California is a state dependent on and supportive of industries that enable their citizens to attempt to escape reality: Indian casinos, legalized marijuana, video gaming, the wine and craft beer industries, Hollywood, the state lottery. And the reality that its citizens are attempting to escape is the reality of living in the Democrat Utopia of California, with impossible cost of living levels.
Meanwhile, the state demonizes the industries that actually contribute to the betterment of a civil Western society: the oil, timber, ranching and agriculture industries.
California politicians suck. Bigly.
Amen Ted.
^^^TRUTH!!!! Well said, Ted!!!
“The Bay Area tribe donated $1.8million to The California Partners Project, a nonprofit co-founded by Newsom’s wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and another $450,000 to fund his inaugurations.”
AHA! NOW we know why he INSISTS on referring to his Weinstein-trollop wife as “First Partner”…
First Partner IN CRIME, apparently….
(Anyone ELSE see more than a casual resemblance in her demeanor in that picture to Hillary Clinton??? Birds of a feather…..)
And I am still wondering where the $9 million came from for his mansion. People don’t just give you money without expecting something in return.
Sadly, skinner appears to have succumbed on foot under influence of the Guber’s operant conditioning. At what point should he initiate skills learned at the helm of O. E. M.
Check out the headline photograph. Except for two semi flanking newsom, the crowd around governor windbag all have a sourpuss look on their faces like someone ripped a nasty fart with some hang time.