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Posted on 06/19/2026 8:59:06 AM PDT by DFG
California’s powers-that-be have steered more than a half-billion dollars of other people’s money to their favorite charities and causes since 2011, and way more than half of that haul came at the behest of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
That includes millions donated to nonprofits tied to Newsom’s wife, which may have something to do with the federal investigation into Newsom and first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
These donations often come from businesses and people hoping to influence elected leaders, steer public policy, demonstrate their stellar citizenship to the masses, or perhaps a bit of all three. While state law sets caps on gifts and campaign contributions to politicians, there’s no limit on these so-called “behested payments” to politicians’ pet projects.
Critics say it’s another way for the well-heeled to curry official favor, while lawmakers say they’re simply using the power of their bully pulpits to make the world a better place. Consider:
• Total charitable contributions made at the request of all California lawmakers totaled $555.9 million over the past 15 years, according to data from the Fair Political Practices Commission.
• Total charitable contributions made at Newsom’s request totaled $347.2 million. That’s more than 62% of all behests over the time period.
• About $4.3 million of the Newsom behests went to his wife’s California Partners Project, just one of several nonprofits she’s involved with.
It’s not a good look.
“There’s no question that Newsom has used this privilege far more frequently than other elected officials,” said political strategist and academic Dan Schnur. “As long as he files the required disclosure forms and there is no evidence of an explicit quid pro quo, he is entirely within the law. But many people believe that an official should not be able to make requests such as these on behalf of organizations in which their own family members are involved.”
Sean McMorris, Transparency, Ethics and Accountability program manager for California Common Cause, a nonpartisan good-government watchdog, agrees.
“Behests often go to good causes, but they are ripe for abuse,” he said. “Politicians in positions of power can direct money in a way that they otherwise would not be allowed to do under campaign finance or conflict-of-interest laws. They really exploded during the pandemic and afterward, a lot of politicians realized, ‘This is a kind of an avenue I can use.’”
Which is not to say that all politicians use behests with ill or nefarious intent. A lot of this money does indeed go to good causes — Newsom’s list includes groups working on wildfire recovery, public health initiatives, housing, education and much more.
“The problem is,” McMorris said, “it’s connected to politics.
“That’s where this perception of pay-to-play becomes prevalent. The public is not stupid. There’s a reason why these politicians primarily reach out only to people, entities and special interests who typically have interests before them or need votes from them.”
Things get even stickier when the politician asks for donations to an organization where that politician, or an immediate family member, hold a position of power or receives an income. A loophole in campaign finance and conflict-of-interest laws, he said.
Clearly, there’s a game being played here. There doesn’t have to be an explicit quid pro quo. Those who want to stay in the good graces of the powerful view behests as a great opportunity to gain favor and influence.
“And it’s legal,” McMorris said. “They don’t have to try and defend themselves. A lot of the justification is, ‘The ends justify the means,’ because the money is usually going to a good cause. But the means do matter. If the ends have to justify the means, then the means are probably questionable.”
In San Francisco, voters passed a law that didn’t forbid behests outright — it simply prohibited behests from people or entities with business before the city. And politicians promptly sought to gut it, seeking “waivers” allowing them to extract donations from exactly those people or entities with businesses before the city.
Which tells you just about everything you need to know about behests. It’s not just about the good and the righteous. It’s about power.
In related news, Newsom has had some run-ins with the FPPC over late filing of behested payments, and is facing a $31,500 fine. We asked the governor’s office for its take on all this, but didn’t hear back by deadline. We’ll let you know if/when we do.
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They are Democrats. Who cares? (/lieberals)
Isn’t that every politicians first duty? Take care of friends and family.
After all, the word “nepotism” comes from the Italian nepote/nipote which means nephew or grandson.
SpousesLeftist doublethink is insane.Kimberly Guilfoyle
(m. 2001; div. 2006)Jennifer Siebel (m. 2008)
So deeply, utterly, totally corrupt!
LET US ALL KNOW WHEN THE CALIF LOTTERY GETS A DEEEEEP AUDIT.
OVER 40 YEARS-—WHERE DID ALL THE $$$$$$$$$$$$$ GO?
This is exactly what they did to Swalwell.
Looks really corrupt—I bet most of the cash is going into a few deep pockets. Trump should take away the state charter and occupy California—appointing a governor-General to rule before Free Elections can be held and closely supervised by agents of the Federal Government. Who should be appointed?
Spencer Pratt?
The level of fraud in California is astronomical. Even Fareed Zakaria on his CNN show took a shot at the poor governance of California. If CNN is allowing one of their hosts to criticize a blue state and how it’s being governed badly, knowing their Democrat bias, I think a growing number of Democrat insiders are having second thoughts about Newsom. A year ago I would have put money on him being the Democrat nominee for president in 2028. Not so sure now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48utP9jt5ig&t=14s
The citizens of California did NOT elect these corrupt bastards and bitches, VOTER FRAUD elected them for decades. Those condemning everyone in California for this should look at yourselves during the 2020 voter-fraud infested election. Did you vote for FU Biden? No, what happened then? Voter fraud elected FU Biden; same shit goes on in Blue states and even in RED states. There were nonstop DJT rallies and parades in CA in 2020 and 2024 for DJT. DJT said CA is Red and he has the proof.
San Diego Boat Parade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A1vLuQ8tJs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDNHhAxrJmI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppyd05kiXJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4o3xsHm7r4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeqWkVPQ95w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie9eky4Nb1c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vOBWaNMsAs&t=5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKCUxzGRsU8
Sacramento, CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlDl99M480o
Riverside CA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpeG6N68_2U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-YrbmlPLP4
WORLD RECORD TRUMP 2020 MOTORCADE - CALIFORNIA
FROM SAN CLEMENTE TO SAN DIEGO, THE MOTORCADE OF OVER 1,500 MOTORCYLES, TRUCKS, AND CARS STRETCHED AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE IN SUPPORT OF THE PRESIDENT. LANDSLIDE WIN ....YEAHHHH TRUMP 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-YrbmlPLP4
DJT Boat Parade 2024
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9QN9P8uKfV0
Donald Trump California June 9 2024
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ek0TGQNN7Iw
Trump car parade Oct 24th 2020 Orange County California
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4o3xsHm7r4
Trump Car Parade 2024 Oakdale CA.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MgJ2PgEhj7M
Over 2,000 boats expected at second Trump Boat Parade on the San Diego Bay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkbznDCuueQ
Boat parade and ‘Trump train’ go through San Diego voicing support for Pres. Trump
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rH6fRLVgU8
Trump Rally Car Parade | RIVERSIDE-TEMECULA, CA 11.1.20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vOBWaNMsAs&t=21s
Massive Trump Train on highway 101 California #trump #california #rally
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IoutU44bpJg
The FireAid money ALL went into Dem NGO’s and into NewSCUM’s pocket..NOT ONE CENT went to fire victims..and then you have his “wife” who he cheats on non stop with his interns, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT, her non profits were a total scam, money laundering, embezzlement, it all went into HER pocket..the diaper scam, ALL OF IT..that is why Gavin is on TV freaking out about it, he knows he is going to prison along with his “wife”
Democrats have always been their favorite charity.
Future co-president
If I have to bet $$$ right now, I'll have to say they'll run Wes Moore in 2028.
“First Partner”?
Make that “First Gestating Person.”
Of course, in a business sense, labeling her a partner brings her into his corruption sphere.
He must believe he’s the favorite charities?.
One way or another?.
Everyone knows you launder the bribes through the spouse. Pelosi was the queen of the husband laundry.
He would be a dangerous candidate for us to face in 2028. He’s a veteran, and while he is liberal like every other Democrat is, he does a good job of hiding it and the media likes to portray him as a moderate. Plus, he’s black and doesn’t have a scent of scandal on him like the overwhelming stench Newsom has.
I think I mentioned Moore’s name in a post here last year as a possible candidate. Well, the media is certainly speculating now about him being a candidate. He would be a formidable candidate. He is one to keep an eye on as I believe Newsom’s presidential chances are about to implode.
He's the opposite of Newsom and he's more like Obama. A family man. Married with two children just like Obama.
If he has skeletons in his closet, we would know by now.
He's a boring guy which is perfect. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gretchen Whitmer on his ticket.
Moore is not flashy but Jimmy Carter won in 1976 with similar strategy.
His military resume seems to have some serious exaggerations on it.
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