California’s primary federal prosecutor criticized Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday for a $23 million homeless services fraud scheme, accusing the state of distributing taxpayer funds without proper vetting or oversight.
Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, wrote on X, “All you have done is hand out money to fraudsters and illegal immigrants. Taxpaying citizens deserve better.”
His remarks followed Newsom’s defense against criticism regarding the fraud, where he denied any misconduct in the state and emphasized California’s commitment to accountability.
“Unlike Donald Trump, who pardons fraudsters, @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom demands anyone who steals taxpayer dollars be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Newsom’s official press account stated on X.
