civicstream
Mar 25, 2026

IT ALL CAME OUT' — Gavin Newsom Blows Up After Being Exposed Live On Air

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — June 19, 2026

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has drawn renewed scrutiny over his use of behested payments, a practice in which elected officials solicit donations from corporations, wealthy individuals, and organizations to support specific causes or charities.

 State disclosure records show that Newsom has reported more than $347 million in such payments since 2011. That figure represents more than 62 percent of all behested payments reported by California elected officials over the past 15 years, according to data from the California Fair Political Practices Commission. By comparison, former Gov. Jerry Brown solicited roughly $35 million in behested payments during his time in office.

Behested payments are legal under California law, but critics have long argued that the practice creates opportunities for influence peddling by allowing officials to direct money from interests that have business before the state outside of traditional campaign finance limits.

 

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