Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual
misconduct probe, AP source says
[August 21, 2026]
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal agents seized electronic devices from former
Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an
investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic
congressman from California, according to a person familiar with the
matter.
Swalwell’s devices were seized at the San Francisco airport on Saturday
and agents executed a search warrant at his home a day later, said the
person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing
investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
A message seeking comment was left Thursday with an attorney for
Swalwell, who has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
The Daily Mail first reported the seizure of Swalwell's devices on
Thursday.
Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress in April following
allegations that Swalwell had sexually assaulted a woman twice,
including when she worked for him. The San Francisco Chronicle, followed
by CNN, first reported the allegations. CNN also reported that three
other women alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by Swalwell,
including sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.
The seven-term lawmaker had been seen as one of the leading candidates
in California’s gubernatorial race before dropping out after the
allegations surfaced.
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed in April
that it was investigating Swalwell after a former staffer told CNN and
the Chronicle that Swalwell raped her at a hotel while he was in New
York City for a charity gala in 2024. In a statement, Bragg’s office
encouraged “survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to
contact our Special Victims Division.”
A lawyer representing Lonna Drewes, a California woman who in April said
she had been raped in 2018 by Swalwell, said his team was cooperating
with all law enforcement agencies investigating the former congressman.
“We are encouraged to learn about the escalation of the FBI’s
investigation into the allegations against Eric Swalwell,” attorney
Arick Fudali said in a statement.
Drewes spoke of the assault at a news conference days after Swalwell
dropped out of the California governor’s race. She said it occurred at a
hotel in Southern California. Swalwell denied that assault.
[to top of second column]
|
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., talks with reporters after holding a
town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif., April 7, 2026. (AP
Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Swalwell, an Iowa native, was elected in 2012 and represented a House
district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April
2019 but ended it a few months later after failing to catch on with
voters.
He was one of Republican President Donald Trump’s top Democratic
antagonists in Congress. He was a prominent member of the House
Judiciary and Intelligence committees during Trump's first term and
served as one of several Democratic prosecutors for Trump’s second
impeachment after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
Swalwell was removed from the Intelligence Committee by then-House
Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in 2023 based on Swalwell's contact
with a suspected Chinese spy, Christine Fang.
Fang was reported to have come into contact with Swalwell’s campaign as
he was first running for Congress in 2012 and to have participated in
fundraising for his 2014 campaign.
Federal investigators alerted Swalwell to their concerns and briefed
Congress about Fang in 2015, at which point Swalwell says he cut off
contact with her. He was not accused of wrongdoing and a House Ethics
Committee investigation that was opened in 2021 closed two years later
without any action.
California lawmaker Aisha Wahab secured victory Thursday in a special
election to serve the rest of Swalwell’s House term, which ends in
January. She will run again in the November election to represent the
district for a full two-year term.
___
Associated Press reporter Michael R. Sisak in New York and Olga
Rodriguez in San Francisco contributed to this report.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
