Rep. Eric Swalwell's staff 'horrified,' issues statement following sexual assault allegations
Manhattan DA investigating sexual assault allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell by former staffer
SAN FRANCISCO -- There are new developments in the sex assault investigation involving California candidate for governor and Bay Area Congressman Eric Swalwell.
ABC7 Eyewitness News in San Francisco obtained an unsigned statement from Swalwell's staffers on Saturday.
It read, in part:
"We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too."
It goes on to say they are horrified by the allegations against Swalwell. You can read the full statement below.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office on Saturday announced it is now investigating a claim from one of Swalwell's former staffers.
She told CNN she was heavily intoxicated after a night of drinking with Swalwell in New York City in April 2024, when she woke up to him having sex with her in his hotel bed.
RELATED: 'I will fight them': Swalwell denies sex assault allegations, won't drop out of CA governor's race
The D.A.'s office issued a statement Saturday, urging anyone with knowledge of the allegations to come forward.
The staffer is now one of four women to accuse Swalwell of sexual misconduct.
The San Francisco Chronicle also reported Friday that a former female congressional staffer accused Swalwell of two separate non-consensual sexual encounters. The report alleges the interactions occurred beginning in 2019, when the woman was 21 years old and newly hired to work in the Democrat's district office in Castro Valley.
ABC7 Eyewitness News has not independently verified the allegations made to the Chronicle or CNN.
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Uncorroborated and nonspecific rumors that Swalwell behaved inappropriately with female staffers have circulated on social media for weeks, but the Chronicle's story is the first reported account of someone making a direct accusation. CNN also published a story that appeared to feature the same woman's allegations, though she was not named, as well as allegations from several women that Swalwell sent them inappropriate sexual messages.
"The congressman categorically denies any misconduct that took place, and we intend to vindicate his rights in court," Elias Dabaie, attorney for Swalwell, said.
"Eric Swalwell does not have a political future. As they say, 'Put a fork in him. He's done," said Melissa Michelson, political science professor at Menlo College. "I would not be surprised if he, after careful consideration and talking to his family etc. etc., decides to pull out from the race and resign his seat in Congress. That is what we have seen in the past, especially on the Democratic side of the House."
Swalwell is among a handful of prominent candidates in the crowded race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, and he immediately came under pressure from all other Democratic rivals to withdraw from the race. The party has been mired in a messy primary season with some leaders fearing the crowded field could cost them a spot in the November general election. The state's top-two primary system sends the two highest vote-getters on to the general election regardless of party.
Swalwell on Tuesday kicked off a planned series of campaign events in Sacramento, where he told reporters he's never had a sexual relationship with a staff member or intern. He canceled the next scheduled event in Palm Springs on Thursday.
RELATED: CA gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell denies 'false' accusations of inappropriate behavior
Powerful labor unions, including the California Service Employees International Union and the California Teachers Association, said they're suspending their support. The California Federation of Labor Unions said it's "acting urgently" on next steps.
With news of the allegations, tensions are surfacing within Swalwell's own camp.
Senior staffers for his campaign and congressional office released a joint statement saying they are horrified by the allegations, adding in part:
"Any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell. We recognize that not everyone -- in particular our junior staff -- can immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequence."
A campaign staffer told ABC News that Swalwell went "rogue" when he released a video statement on his Instagram page on Friday.
"These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They're absolutely false. The did not happen, they never happened," he said in the video.
A number of California lawmakers and major labor groups are now cutting ties after Swalwell had previously locked in key endorsements.
By Friday, some of his most influential backers had pulled their support.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is now among those calling on him to end his campaign and resign from Congress. Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is also running for governor, is echoing that call.
"The courage of these people to take on a powerful congress member who ran for president, now running for governor... these women need to be believed," Villaraigosa said.
Swalwell is still scheduled to host an event in Los Angeles on Sunday at a local church, alongside Assembly Member Tina McKinnor, who withdrew her support on Friday.
Eyewitness News reached out to Swalwell's campaign to ask whether he'll attend or for comment, and has not heard back.
Swalwell was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters. Swalwell, who is married and has three children, is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial during his first term in early 2021.
With the House returning to session Tuesday, the question of whether to expel Swalwell could come to a head quickly. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said Saturday that she would be filing a motion to start the process.
Expulsion votes in the House are rare and require a two-thirds majority, but there is recent precedent for taking the step. Republican George Santos of New York in 2023 became just the sixth member in House history to be ousted by colleagues for his conduct.
Huffman, Jayapal and Leger Fernández said they would vote to expel Swalwell from the House, though they said they also support expelling Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who admitted to an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide.
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who is running his own campaign for governor, said both Swalwell and Gonzales "need to go home" and that he would vote to expel them both.
Khanna also indicated support for congressional action against both lawmakers.
"So, it depends on if it's worded in a fair way," Khanna said. "But this shouldn't be about politics. Anyone who abuses young girls and staffers should not be in the United States Congress."
Here is the full statement from senior staff of California's 14th Congressional District and Eric Swalwell for Governor 2026:
"As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we're horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN.
We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too.
The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.
We also understand that we lead teams who need guidance and stability now, more than ever.
We are focused on supporting our colleagues during this challenging time.
Any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell. We recognize that not everyone - in particular our junior staff - can immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequence.
Our responsibility now is to them.
We, more than he, understand that we have obligations to the people we lead and to the constituents of California's 14th Congressional District. Those of us that remain on staff do so for the sole purpose of ensuring that as many of those obligations are fulfilled as possible."
- Senior staff, Office of California's 14th Congressional District
- Senior staff, Eric Swalwell for Governor 2026"
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stay with ABC7 Eyewitness News for the latest details on this developing story.
