Allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced against Democratic lawmaker Eric Swalwell, with multiple women accusing him of inappropriate behavior, claims he has denied and described as politically motivated.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday, April 10 that a woman said Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019 and 2024. The newspaper reviewed text messages about the alleged 2024 assault without revealing the name of the woman and spoke to people whom she had told about it. She told the newspaper she did not go to police because she was afraid she would be disbelieved.
Separately, CNN reported three other women who spoke with the outlet also alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by the Democratic congressman.
Swalwell denied the woman’s account and suggested these alligators are politically instigated due to his campaign’s momentum. “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement to multiple news outlets, including CNN. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
As indicated by his statement, legal action followed. Two of the women who spoke with CNN received cease-and-desist letters on Thursday, a day after the outlet reached out for reaction to his campaign. The letters called the women’s accounts “false,” ordered them to retract their statements and warned of potential legal action if they continued speaking out.
As per the news outlet, the letters said that the women’s claims were “undermined” by their “voluntary and cooperative relationship with Mr. Swalwell over the course of many years” following the alleged incidents, including the former staffer asking him for job references.
The woman staffer worked for Swalwell in 2019 when the first alleged assault occurred, and the 2024 assault allegedly occurred after a charity gala, the Chronicle reported. She said in both cases she was too intoxicated to consent to sex.
Political fallout began to mount against Eric Swalwell as key allies and organizations distanced themselves from his gubernatorial bid following the allegations.
On Friday afternoon, the California Teachers Association said it’s suspending its support, reported Associated Press. Adam Schiff withdrew his endorsement, and a fellow congressman who backed Swalwell urged him to drop out of the race. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she had asked Swalwell to end his bid, reported CNN.
ActBlue, the fundraising site critical to Democratic campaigns, posted online that it would stop allowing donors to give to his campaign.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday, April 10 that a woman said Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019 and 2024. The newspaper reviewed text messages about the alleged 2024 assault without revealing the name of the woman and spoke to people whom she had told about it. She told the newspaper she did not go to police because she was afraid she would be disbelieved.
Separately, CNN reported three other women who spoke with the outlet also alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by the Democratic congressman.
Swalwell denied the woman’s account and suggested these alligators are politically instigated due to his campaign’s momentum. “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement to multiple news outlets, including CNN. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
As indicated by his statement, legal action followed. Two of the women who spoke with CNN received cease-and-desist letters on Thursday, a day after the outlet reached out for reaction to his campaign. The letters called the women’s accounts “false,” ordered them to retract their statements and warned of potential legal action if they continued speaking out.
As per the news outlet, the letters said that the women’s claims were “undermined” by their “voluntary and cooperative relationship with Mr. Swalwell over the course of many years” following the alleged incidents, including the former staffer asking him for job references.
The woman staffer worked for Swalwell in 2019 when the first alleged assault occurred, and the 2024 assault allegedly occurred after a charity gala, the Chronicle reported. She said in both cases she was too intoxicated to consent to sex.
Political fallout began to mount against Eric Swalwell as key allies and organizations distanced themselves from his gubernatorial bid following the allegations.
On Friday afternoon, the California Teachers Association said it’s suspending its support, reported Associated Press. Adam Schiff withdrew his endorsement, and a fellow congressman who backed Swalwell urged him to drop out of the race. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she had asked Swalwell to end his bid, reported CNN.
ActBlue, the fundraising site critical to Democratic campaigns, posted online that it would stop allowing donors to give to his campaign.
