The FBI has widened an investigation into former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., executing search warrants and seizing his electronic devices.
The development signals a new phase in the investigation, which began after multiple women accused Swalwell of sexual assault and misconduct. Swalwell, who was the frontrunner in California’s gubernatorial race when the allegations emerged, has acknowledged “mistakes in judgment” but denied accusations of assault. He dropped out of the governor’s race in April.
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The search warrants were connected to the accusations, CNN reported.
The searches began Saturday night after Swalwell landed at San Francisco International Airport, sources told CNN. Authorities then searched his home in Washington, D.C., on Sunday.
The Daily Mail first reported the searches on Thursday.
Allegations against Swalwell
At least four women have accused the former lawmaker of misconduct. Among them is a former member of Swalwell’s congressional staff who said he sexually assaulted her twice, once in 2019 and again in 2024. At a press conference in April, one accuser said she believes Swalwell drugged her drink during one interaction with him.
The woman said the two were together before an event and she “only had one glass of wine.” That night, they were both heading to an event, but before leaving, Swalwell told her he needed to grab some paperwork from his hotel room.
She said she was feeling intoxicated and losing the ability to move her arms or her body when they arrived at the event. She said Swalwell later assaulted her and choked her to the point that she passed out.
Three of the women who have spoken publicly about their allegations told CNN they have spoken with the FBI. In addition to the FBI, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also opened criminal investigations.
Swalwell’s political career
Swalwell was first elected to Congress in 2013 and represented California’s Bay Area. He launched a short campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2019 but ended it a few months later after failing to gain momentum.
He was a member of the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees and served as one of the Democratic prosecutors during President Donald Trump’s second impeachment following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. In January 2023, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., removed Swalwell from the Intelligence Committee after reports that Swalwell had contacted Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese spy.
Federal investigators notified Swalwell about their concerns in 2015, and he said he cut off contact with Fang. He was never accused of wrongdoing, and a House Ethics Committee investigation closed without any action.
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