A former aide to Eric Swalwell, who is currently running for governor of California, accused him of sexual assault while she was his boss, alleging that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent.
The woman worked for Swalwell from 2019 until 2021, FWRD AXIS News has confirmed, but is not able to verify her allegations.
Later on Friday, CNN reported on sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell from four women. One of the women’s stories aligns with the details in the San Francisco Chronicle article. Another woman recounted that Swalwell kissed her without her consent in public. She also mentioned that she had been drinking heavily with him before ending up in his hotel room, but she had no recollection of how she got there. Additionally, Ally Sammarco, a Democratic influencer, alleged that Swalwell sent her unsolicited videos of his penis.
CNN corroborated the women’s accounts by interviewing their friends and family members and reviewing the messages Swalwell exchanged with them.
Swalwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment from his campaign, congressional office, or his attorney. He made identical statements to the Chronicle and CNN, denying the women’s allegations.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” he wrote, later adding: “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.”
The former staffer told the Chronicle that in September 2019, while she was employed by him, Swalwell invited her out for drinks, and she became so intoxicated that she doesn’t remember what happened. She said she woke up naked in his hotel bed and could “feel the effect of vaginal intercourse.”
In April 2024, after she stopped working for the congressman, she recounted meeting Swalwell for drinks after a charity gala where he was honored. She mentioned that she became so intoxicated while drinking with him that she only has “snippets” of the evening. One of the memories she recalled was Swalwell having sex with her in his hotel room, and her telling him no.
The Chronicle reviewed text messages she sent to a friend about that encounter three days later, revealing that she had instructed Swalwell to stop. Additionally, the paper interviewed her boyfriend at the time, who corroborated her account of the alleged assault. Furthermore, the reporters examined medical records indicating that she sought pregnancy and STD tests in the aftermath.
Following the newspaper’s reporting, some of Swalwell’s supporters have announced their withdrawal of support for his gubernatorial bid. Additionally, several prominent Democratic leaders have urged Swalwell to conclude his campaign.
The top three House Democrats including Leader Hakeem Jeffries call on Rep. Swalwell to “immediately” drop his bid for governor.
“Following the incredibly disturbing sexual assault accusations against Congressman Eric Swalwell, we call for a swift investigation into these incidents and for the Congressman to immediately end his campaign to be California’s next Governor,” Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said in a joint statement released Friday.
In a statement, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
