Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Yuri Gripas | Reuters
California Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat operating for governor, has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a lady twice, together with when she labored for him.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday {that a} lady mentioned Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019 and 2024. The newspaper reviewed textual content messages in regards to the alleged 2024 assault and spoke to folks whom she had informed about it. She informed the newspaper she didn’t go to police as a result of she was afraid she wouldn’t be believed.
The paper did not title the girl, and The Related Press has not been capable of independently confirm her account and identification. Her lawyer declined to remark.
The girl labored for Swalwell in 2019 when the primary alleged assault occurred, and the 2024 assault allegedly occurred after a charity gala, the newspaper reported. She mentioned in each instances she was too intoxicated to consent to intercourse.
Swalwell denied the girl’s account and prompt they have been a part of an assault on account of his marketing campaign’s momentum.
“These allegations are false and are available on the eve of an election towards the front-runner for governor,” Swalwell mentioned in an announcement. “For almost 20 years, I’ve served the general public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have all the time protected ladies. I’ll defend myself with the info and the place crucial carry authorized motion. My focus within the coming days is to be with my spouse and kids and defend our many years of service towards these lies.”
The girl acquired a cease-and-desist letter from Swalwell’s legal professional, the Chronicle reported. The legal professional, Elias Debaie, confirmed he despatched out no less than one letter and known as the allegations “baseless.”
The allegations surfaced at a vital stage of the wide-open marketing campaign to guide the nation’s most populous state. Mail ballots exit to voters in lower than a month upfront of a June 2 major election.
On Friday afternoon, the California Lecturers Affiliation mentioned it is suspending its help. Democratic U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff withdrew his endorsement, and a fellow congressman who backed Swalwell urged him to drop out of the race. A number of of Swalwell’s opponents additionally inspired him to exit the race.
Uncorroborated and nonspecific rumors that Swalwell behaved inappropriately with feminine staffers have circulated on social media for weeks, however the Chronicle’s story is the primary reported account of somebody making a direct accusation. At a Tuesday marketing campaign occasion in Sacramento, he informed reporters he is by no means had a sexual relationship with a employees member or intern.
Swalwell earlier this week introduced a collection of marketing campaign features he is deliberate across the state, however canceled the scheduled occasion Thursday in Palm Springs.
Swalwell is amongst a number of main Democrats within the crowded discipline to exchange outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, and he instantly got here underneath strain from a number of Democratic rivals — former state controller Betty Yee, state faculties superintendent Tony Thurmond and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — to withdraw from the race. Two of Swalwell’s prime rivals — former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire local weather activist Tom Steyer — expressed help for the girl who shared her account however stopped in need of calling on Swalwell to finish his marketing campaign.
The rising uproar might show expensive for Swalwell if his fundraising dries up, strangling his skill to run marketing campaign advertisements, or if unions and different teams that endorsed his marketing campaign start to retract their selections.
Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who endorsed and helped run Swalwell’s marketing campaign, mentioned in a social media put up that he is instantly ending his function within the marketing campaign.
“The congressman ought to go away the race now so there will be full accountability no doubt, distraction, or delay,” Gomez mentioned.
Swalwell, who’s initially from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a Home district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 however shuttered it a number of months later after failing to catch on with voters. He’s maybe finest recognized nationally as a Home supervisor in President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial throughout his first time period in early 2021.