Is Jennifer Siebel Newsom becoming Gavin Newsom's political vulnerability?

Does Gov. Gavin Newsom have an Achilles spouse?

Many Republicans think so -- or at least want voters to think so.

Conservative media had been scrutinizing First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom's business and nonprofit ties long before Newsom disclosed Monday that he, his family and his businesses were under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. In a video and series of news releases, Newsom accused the Trump administration of pursuing politically motivated investigations of him and his family.

The details remain murky. In comments released Monday, Newsom said federal agents had knocked "on the doors of family friends and former employees" and accused the administration of "abusing the grand jury process." His media relations office did not respond Monday to questions about whether the governor had retained a criminal defense attorney or where a grand jury had been empaneled.

Joseph Cotchett, the Burlingame plaintiffs' lawyer, has said he represents Newsom.

According to multiple news reports, investigators are examining Siebel Newsom's tax returns, with activity coordinated by the office of U.S. Attorney Eric Grant in the Eastern District of California.

A spokesperson for Grant's office said in an email that prosecutors could "not confirm or deny the existence of investigations," adding, "The work of the federal grand jury is confidential."

At the center of the political fight is a legal but controversial practice known as behested payments -- donations made at the request of an elected official. State law requires such payments to be reported to the Fair Political Practices Commission when made in coordination with an official for "a legislative, governmental, or charitable purpose."

Millions of dollars in behested payments are made legally each year. Critics argue they allow donors to curry favor with powerful officials outside the rules governing campaign contributions.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton discussed the issue in March on his web-based show with conservative writer and activist Susan Shelley.

$4.3 million in donations have been behested to Jennier Siebel Newsom's California Partners Project since 2020. (Data courtesy of the Fair Political Practices Commission)

FPPC records show $4.3 million in donations naming Newsom to the California Partners Project, a nonprofit co-founded by Siebel Newsom to promote "gender equity and child wellbeing," according to its website. The largest donor was the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, a California casino gaming tribe, which gave $1.8 million.

Those donations are a fraction of the behested payments made in Newsom's name. More than $6 million has been reported this year alone for various causes.

The records do not name Siebel Newsom. She is not currently listed as a board member and does not draw a salary. She does, however, frequently appear at events connected to the organization. Last month, she appeared at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles to discuss the latest in a series of parenting guides produced through the project.

The California Partners Project is organized as a 501(c)(4), not a 501(c)(3). The distinction matters: 501(c)(3) charities can offer tax-deductible donations but face tighter restrictions, while 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations have more leeway to engage in advocacy but generally cannot offer donors a tax deduction.

Several people in Newsom's orbit have served as unpaid board members during the organization's existence.

Newsom brought the investigation to light himself and has responded aggressively.

"He's coming after me because I am considering running for President," Newsom said Monday.

That night, his office announced a Freedom of Information Act request seeking records from the Justice Department related to what it called "President Donald Trump's politically motivated investigation." On Tuesday, Newsom followed with more communications, including a list of Trump's criminal pardons for several "cronies."

The clash underscores a similarity between Newsom and Trump as potential presidential candidates: fame, wealth and a high-profile spouse with business and nonprofit interests of her own.

Last month, a unanimous appellate panel dismissed wage-and-hour claims brought by a former employee against PlumpJack, a company owned by the Newsom family through a blind trust with interests in restaurants and wineries. In her original San Francisco Superior Court complaint -- covered by several conservative outlets -- the plaintiff also alleged she was sexually harassed and assaulted by other employees, though those claims were not at issue on appeal. Doe v. Newsom, A174097 (Cal. App. 1st, filed July 25, 2025).