Federal agents seized electronic devices and searched the Washington home of former Representative Eric Swalwell over the weekend, and briefly detained the lawmaker at San Francisco International Airport, according to a source familiar with the inquiry.
Swalwell, a Democrat from Dublin, withdrew from the California gubernatorial race and resigned from Congress in April following allegations of sexual assault by a former staffer and inappropriate conduct toward other young women, which he has consistently denied. At the time of his withdrawal from the gubernatorial contest, polling indicated Swalwell was among the leading candidates.
The source indicated that Swalwell was detained on Saturday at SFO for search purposes and released the same day. Federal prosecutors are reportedly utilizing civil rights statutes to advance an investigation into his conduct during his tenure as a member of Congress. Separate investigations are also being conducted by authorities in New York and Los Angeles County.
The search of his home on Sunday was executed by federal agents under a warrant connected to the civil rights investigation concerning the sexual assault allegations. Swalwell has maintained his innocence, but the accusations have significantly impacted the California gubernatorial race and caused reverberations on Capitol Hill, prompting discussions about a culture of secrecy surrounding sexual impropriety.
Another accuser, Lonna Drewes, publicly stated at a press conference that she was drugged and raped by Swalwell in 2018 in Beverly Hills. Drewes recounted meeting Swalwell on three occasions while developing her fashion software company and exploring a potential political career. On their third meeting, Drewes believes Swalwell drugged her wine during a stop at his hotel room, despite her consuming only one drink. She described becoming incapacitated and recounted an assault, stating, "He raped me and he choked me and while he was choking me I lost consciousness and I thought I died. I did not consent to any sexual activity."
Sara Azari, an attorney representing Swalwell, has denied Drewes' account, asserting that the situation involved "two adults consenting, which is our position, is not against the law." Previously, a former staffer told the San Francisco Chronicle that Swalwell began sending her nude pictures on Snapchat and messages after she joined his office in 2019 at the age of 21. This staffer reported having drinks with the congressman, blacking out, and waking up naked in his hotel bed. She also alleged that in 2024, after leaving his employ, Swalwell forced himself upon her during a post-charity event meeting, despite her resistance and verbal refusal.
In April, Azari stated that Swalwell denied all allegations of sexual misconduct and assault, vowing to pursue "every legal remedy" against the accusers. Azari characterized the accusations as "false, fabricated and deeply offensive—a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent 20 years in public service."
