23 FELONIES Uncovered!

California Republicans are finally taking a stand against the swamp in Sacramento with legislation that should have been common sense decades ago—permanently banning convicted corrupt officials from lobbying state government.

Story Highlights

AB 1560 would permanently bar individuals convicted of public corruption from registering as lobbyists in California, closing a shocking loophole
The bill was introduced after Governor Newsom’s former Chief of Staff was indicted on 23 federal corruption charges while failing to report $1.7 million in income
Over 500 individuals have been charged or convicted of corruption in California over the past decade, yet many remain active in Sacramento’s influence networks
Current law only imposes a temporary four-year ban on lobbying for Political Reform Act violations, not broader corruption offenses

Republican Lawmaker Confronts Sacramento’s Corruption Problem

Assemblymember David Tangipa introduced AB 1560 on January 8, 2026, to amend California’s Political Reform Act of 1974. The legislation addresses a glaring weakness that has allowed convicted corruption offenders to continue shaping state policy through lobbying activities. This permanent ban represents a fundamental departure from existing law, which only temporarily restricts individuals convicted of specific Political Reform Act violations for four years. The bill targets broader public corruption convictions, ensuring that those who betray the public trust face lasting consequences rather than simply waiting out a short timeout period.

Newsom Scandal Exposes Deep-Rooted Ethics Crisis

The catalyst for this legislation was the federal indictment of Dana Williamson, Governor Gavin Newsom’s former Chief of Staff, on 23 felony charges involving conspiracy and fraud. Williamson wielded extraordinary influence over policy, access, and decision-making in the governor’s office, reportedly serving as an enforcer against political opponents. The fact that he failed to report $1.7 million in income while occupying such a powerful position demonstrates the arrogance and entitlement that pervades Sacramento’s political elite. This case perfectly illustrates why stronger ethics safeguards are desperately needed to protect California taxpayers from insider corruption.

Swamp Creatures Exploit Massive Regulatory Loophole

The reality is staggering: more than 500 individuals have been charged or convicted of corruption in California over the past decade, yet the state’s lobbying framework operated by the Fair Political Practices Commission has allowed many to remain active in Sacramento’s influence ecosystem. Convicted offenders have circumvented restrictions by operating under different titles or through alternative pathways, continuing to profit from their government connections despite betraying public trust. This systematic failure undermines accountability and enables the very corruption that California’s Political Reform Act was designed to prevent. The permanent ban proposed in AB 1560 closes this loophole once and for all.

Uphill Battle Against Sacramento’s Establishment

AB 1560 faces significant legislative hurdles despite its common-sense approach to government accountability. Because the bill amends the Political Reform Act, an initiative measure, it requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in both chambers of the California State Legislature. The bill is currently pending its first committee review, with the earliest possible hearing date set for February 8, 2026. This high threshold for passage means the legislation must overcome resistance from legislators who benefit from the current system’s flexibility. Whether Sacramento’s Democrat-controlled legislature will prioritize ethics over protecting their influence networks remains to be seen, but California voters deserve representatives who put integrity above insider deals.