Federal law‑enforcement agents seized several electronic devices belonging to former California Representative Eric Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday. A search warrant was then executed at his Washington, D.C., residence the following day, officials said.
Investigation background
The seizure is part of a broader investigation into multiple accusations of sexual assault and misconduct made against the former Democrat. Swalwell, who resigned from Congress in April after the allegations surfaced, has denied any wrongdoing.
The first public reports came from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, which detailed two alleged assaults on a woman who worked for Swalwell. CNN later reported that three additional women claimed Swalwell sent them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photographs.
Legal actions and prior inquiries
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed in April that it was investigating Swalwell after a former staffer alleged that he raped her at a hotel in New York City during a charity gala in 2024. The DA’s office urged any survivors or individuals with knowledge of the allegations to contact its Special Victims Division.
Swalwell, an Iowa native elected to the House in 2012, had been a prominent member of the Judiciary and Intelligence committees and served as a House manager during former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial. He was removed from the Intelligence Committee in 2023 after revelations of contact with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, Christine Fang.
Political implications
While Swalwell was once considered a leading candidate for California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, he withdrew from the contest after the allegations emerged. The current investigation adds another layer of scrutiny to a career that included a brief 2019 presidential bid and frequent opposition to President Trump’s agenda.
Federal investigators have not disclosed the specific content of the seized devices, but the action signals a continued focus on potential criminal conduct. No charges have been filed at this stage, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Response from Swalwell’s team
An attorney for Swalwell was contacted for comment on Thursday; the office left a message but has not responded publicly. Swalwell’s representatives continue to assert his innocence and maintain that the allegations are unfounded.
The case underscores the heightened scrutiny of public officials facing serious personal misconduct claims and highlights the role of federal authorities in pursuing such investigations.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
