Justice Department Launches Investigation into Sexual Assault Allegations Against Former Congressman Swalwell

The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into multiple sexual assault allegations against former California Representative Eric Swalwell, according to a source familiar with the matter. This federal probe adds to existing investigations already underway by district attorneys in both Los Angeles and New York.

Over the past few weeks, five different women have come forward accusing Swalwell of sexual assault and harassment spanning several years. The allegations include serious claims that he drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted a staff member. Swalwell has denied all allegations of criminal wrongdoing, though he acknowledged making “mistakes in judgment.”

The mounting accusations have already had significant political consequences for the 43-year-old Democrat. Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from his congressional seat, which he had held since 2013 representing parts of the San Francisco Bay Area.

“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell stated when announcing his resignation. “I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”

In his resignation statement, Swalwell also referenced efforts to bring an expulsion vote against him in Congress. “Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” he said. “But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties.”

The allegations have gained increasing attention as more women have come forward. One accuser, Lonna Drewes, held a press conference alongside attorney Lisa Bloom in Beverly Hills, claiming Swalwell drugged and sexually assaulted her during a 2018 encounter after offering professional mentorship.

Before the accusations became public, Swalwell was considered a rising figure in California Democratic politics. His spokesperson, Micah Beasley, initially dismissed the allegations as “false, outrageous rumors” being spread by political opponents collaborating with “MAGA conspiracy theorists” just weeks before an election.

The scandal has extended beyond legal and political circles. Media personalities have also weighed in, with at least one co-host from “The View” claiming to have personally witnessed troubling behavior from Swalwell, though specific details of this claim were not elaborated upon in initial reporting.

Swalwell’s political career began as a city council member in Dublin, California, in 2010. Prior to entering politics, he served as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office before winning election to the House of Representatives in 2013.

During his decade in Congress, Swalwell built a national profile through committee assignments, including serving on the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees. He briefly ran for president in 2019 before dropping out early in the Democratic primary process.

The multiple investigations now underway—at federal and state levels—mark a dramatic fall for the former congressman who had been positioning himself as a leading candidate in California’s upcoming gubernatorial race. The Department of Justice has not officially commented on the scope or timeline of its investigation.

Legal experts note that cases involving multiple allegations across different jurisdictions often involve complex coordination between law enforcement agencies. The parallel investigations by Los Angeles and New York district attorneys, alongside the federal probe, suggest authorities are taking the accusations seriously.

As the investigations proceed, political analysts suggest the scandal could have broader implications for California’s gubernatorial race, where Swalwell had been considered a competitive candidate before suspending his campaign.