The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), federal officials confirmed Thursday. This development marks a significant escalation in a scandal that led to Swalwell’s resignation from the House and suspension of his campaign for California governor.
Swalwell, who represented California’s 14th District since 2013, stepped down from Congress amidst bipartisan pressure and an ongoing House Ethics Committee inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct, including towards a staffer under his supervision. The Ethics review is expected to conclude following his resignation, as the panel’s jurisdiction is limited to current members.
In addition to local investigations, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is looking into an alleged 2024 sexual assault in a New York City hotel room involving a former staffer. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office have also launched inquiries into a separate 2018 claim, with prosecutors reviewing evidence in the LA case.
The allegations gained widespread attention after reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed claims from a former staffer and three other women. The former aide accused Swalwell of assaulting her on multiple occasions, with three additional women describing unwanted explicit messages, unsolicited nude photos, and harassment, some occurring during his gubernatorial campaign.
A fifth woman, Lonna Drewes, came forward with her accusations during a news conference. She alleged that Swalwell drugged and assaulted her in 2018, providing authorities with evidence to support her claims. Swalwell has denied all allegations of non-consensual or illegal conduct, with his attorney dismissing the claims as false and fabricated.
The political fallout from the scandal led to Swalwell’s swift resignation and suspension of his gubernatorial campaign. He had been considered a leading candidate to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. A special election has been scheduled to fill Swalwell’s seat, with a primary set for June 16 and a general election on August 18, 2026.
The article also includes a tweet from Rep. Lauren Boebert discussing sexual misconduct allegations on Capitol Hill, emphasizing the need for people to “go to church” and “find Jesus.”
Overall, the DOJ’s involvement in the investigation adds a federal dimension to the ongoing probes into the allegations against Swalwell, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and its impact on both his political career and the wider political landscape in California.