Top CA Medical Officials Dined At French Laundry With Newsom

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Officials from the California Medical Association joined Gov. Gavin Newsom among other guests at a top California political operative's birthday dinner this month, Politico reported.

The French Laundry dinner, attended by prominent medical and political figures in California, has drawn criticism from the public during a week when Californians were saddled with sweeping new restrictions amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

CEO Dustin Corcoran and top CMA lobbyist Janus Norman both sat among guests at the elite Napa Valley restaurant to celebrate Jason Kinney's 50th birthday, a lobbyist and longtime adviser to the governor, Politico reported.

Read more from Politico: California doctors' top brass attended French Laundry dinner with Newsom

The group was larger than three households, which is prohibited in the state's coronavirus safety guidelines. And the presence of top medical officials has the potential to further criticism from Californians, who have called the gathering hypocritical.

But the photos reveal that the soiree was held in a garage-like structure with walls on three sides and a roof, Politico reported. However, attendees have insisted that it was held outdoor.

The governor apologized Monday, admitting that his behavior contradicted safety guidelines that he has been promoting for months.

"I want to apologize to you because I need to preach and practice, not just preach and not practice..." Newsom said. "...We’re all human. We all fall short sometimes."

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