Swalwell Under Investigation By Manhattan District Attorney

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is investigating Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) over allegations that he sexually assaulted a former staffer in a New York City hotel room in April 2024.

Swalwell, who had been gaining momentum in the race for California governor in November, has seen his political profile come crashing down after the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday published a former staffer’s claims that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent.

One of the instances allegedly took place in a Manhattan hotel. CNN was the first to report that Swalwell was under investigation by authorities in New York.

“We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373,” a district attorney’s office spokesperson said in a statement Saturday. “Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”

The Chronicle's report was closely followed by a CNN story containing new allegations from three additional women, as well as the former staffer. Multiple staffers have since departed Swalwell’s campaign.

Swalwell’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the investigation.

The seven-term House lawmaker has remained defiant in the face of the accusations, which he called “flat false” in a video released on X Friday night.

“They are absolutely false,” Swalwell said. “They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have.”

But some of Swalwell’s top allies — former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) among them — have called on him to exit the governor’s race.

“This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Pelosi said in a statement Friday. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”

The Democratic primary for governor is set for June 2.