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On Saturday, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Alvin Bragg, announced an investigation involving Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.). Swalwell, a leading contender in the California gubernatorial race, is being probed following a sexual assault accusation from a former staff member, as reported by various media outlets.
The accusation stems from an incident in April 2024, when the former staffer claimed that after an evening of drinking with Swalwell in New York City, she awoke in a hotel room to find him engaging in sexual activity with her. At the time of the alleged incident, she was no longer employed by the congressman, according to CNN.
Bragg’s office released a statement, shared by NBC 4 New York and other outlets, urging individuals with information about the allegations to reach out to their Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373. The statement emphasized that their team of specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors is prepared to assist in a manner that prioritizes trauma-informed and survivor-centered support.
The Hill has attempted to contact both Bragg’s office and Swalwell’s campaign for further comments on the matter.
In response to the allegations, Swalwell criticized the San Francisco Chronicle’s coverage of the story and firmly denied the accusations in a statement released on Friday.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement. “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.”
Swalwell is facing pressure from Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), to drop out of the Golden State’s gubernatorial race. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Ariz.) said she will file a motion to expel Swalwell from office.
Staffers from Swalwell’s congressional office and gubernatorial campaign released an unsigned letter stating that the reports of the allegations are “abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians,” Politico reported. They added that they stood with their “former colleague, and the other women who have come forward.”
The Chronicle reported the account of a woman who said she worked for Swalwell for almost two years. She recounted two incidents with Swalwell while driving him, one where she accused him of kissing her and the other where she said he asked her to perform oral sex on him.
She also alleged of another incident in September 2019 that was similar to what happened in New York City. She told the Chronicle that after the two drank, she was unable to remember the rest of the evening before she woke up in the California Democrat’s hotel bed. The woman added that she could, as the Chronicle described, “feel the effect of vaginal intercourse.”
She did not go to the authorities, saying she was afraid that they would not believe her.
The Chronicle shared the account with Swalwell’s campaign on Thursday before publication. His attorney Elias Debaie replied back in a cease-and-desist letter that the woman had “the conduct of a loyal and supportive colleague, not a victim.”
Debaie added that “the credibility of your accusations is fatally undermined by your voluntary and cooperative relationship with Mr. Swalwell over the course of many years following the period in question.”