Federal agents seized electronic devices from former California Representative Eric Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport and executed a search warrant at his residence, escalating a criminal investigation into sexual assault allegations made by a former staffer.
Airport Seizure and Home Search
FBI agents confiscated Swalwell’s devices at the San Francisco airport on Saturday, according to a source with knowledge of the ongoing investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity. The following day, agents executed a search warrant at the former congressman’s home. The aggressive investigative tactics signal a significant escalation in the Manhattan District Attorney’s probe into allegations that Swalwell raped a former staff member at a New York hotel during a 2024 charity gala.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed in April that it had opened an investigation after the former staffer publicly disclosed the allegations to CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. Bragg’s Special Victims Division has encouraged survivors and anyone with information about the allegations to come forward. Attorney Arick Fudali, representing the alleged victim, released a statement saying they were encouraged by the FBI’s escalated involvement in the case.
Conflicting Allegations Surface
The investigation involves at least two separate sexual assault allegations against Swalwell. A woman named Drewes also came forward during a news conference held shortly after Swalwell withdrew from the California governor’s race, alleging that he assaulted her at a Southern California hotel. Swalwell has denied both assault allegations. The timing of Drewes’ disclosure, immediately following his gubernatorial campaign exit, added political dimensions to the already serious criminal allegations.
Political Background and Previous Controversies
Swalwell served as one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal Democratic critics during his congressional tenure. He held prominent positions on both the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees during Trump’s first term and served as an impeachment manager during Trump’s second impeachment following the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. However, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed Swalwell from the Intelligence Committee in 2023 over concerns about his past contact with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative.
Federal investigators briefed Swalwell and Congress about Fang in 2015 after discovering she had participated in his 2012 and 2014 campaign fundraising activities. Swalwell immediately cut contact with Fang after the briefing. A House Ethics Committee investigation opened in 2021 closed two years later without taking action, and Swalwell faced no charges related to the foreign influence matter.