DeMaio Calls for Investigation into Newsom’s Use of Taxpayer Funds in Personal DOJ Criminal Probe

California State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio  is demanding a formal state investigation into whether Governor Gavin Newsom improperly used taxpayer-funded staff and resources to defend himself and his wife in a personal federal criminal investigation.

In a press release issued today, DeMaio revealed that Newsom directed his state-funded legal advisor to issue a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request tied to the ongoing U.S. Department of Justice probe into the couple’s alleged personal conduct, not their official government duties. 

“It is illegal for Gavin Newsom to use taxpayer-funded staff and resources to defend a criminal probe into his personal matters,” DeMaio stated. “Newsom should immediately reimburse taxpayers for any government staff time spent on the FOIA request and should instead hire a private criminal defense attorney with his personal funds to handle this matter going forward.” In a social media post, DeMaio added, “Taxpayer money is not Gavin Newsom’s personal legal defense fund.”

BREAKING: Gavin Newsom used YOUR TAX DOLLARS to defend himself in a personal criminal investigation.

I'm demanding an investigation. Taxpayer money is not Gavin Newsom's personal legal defense fund. https://t.co/tibw4oSK6n pic.twitter.com/3GTXB9Ogs4

— Carl DeMaio (@carldemaio) June 17, 2026

DeMaio sent a formal letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requesting a review to determine whether the actions were authorized under California law and whether the FOIA request served a legitimate governmental purpose or primarily advanced personal or political interests. 

The move comes just days after Newsom publicly claimed that he and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom had been placed on President Donald Trump’s “hit list,” with the DOJ directed to investigate them over Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential ambitions.

In a video address delivered Monday, Newsom stated: “Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list. He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us. They have not found a crime – they are simply trying to find one.” 

The governor’s office has not yet responded to DeMaio’s demands. Newsom’s recent public statements framed the DOJ matters as politically motivated retaliation ahead of his anticipated 2028 presidential run, rather than legitimate inquiries into personal or nonprofit activities.

However, reporting indicates that scrutiny into Siebel Newsom’s nonprofit activities, including The Representation Project, and related tax matters originated in 2025 in the Sacramento U.S. Attorney’s Office under the prior administration, based on whistleblower tips. A separate probe has also touched on a former Newsom chief of staff’s unrelated fraud plea. No direct subpoenas or arrests targeting the couple personally have been confirmed amid the ongoing review of nonprofit payments and political donors. 

DeMaio’s  letter seeks an official determination on the propriety of deploying public resources for the FOIA filing connected to the personal criminal matter.

This development builds on broader federal scrutiny of California’s fiscal (mis)management under Newsom. The California Globe has extensively covered the Trump administration’s announcements of fraud investigations targeting billions in state waste and mismanagement, including a new DOJ National Fraud Enforcement Division. 

As extensively reported by the California Globe, questions have also surfaced regarding past financial dealings involving the Newsoms, including multi-million-dollar home transactions, behested payments, and other matters tied to the couple’s personal and nonprofit affairs. 

DeMaio’s call adds another layer to ongoing debates over the use or mismanagement of state resources and taxpayer dollars in California’s  government.