The Manhattan District Attorney's office confirmed it is investigating a sexual assault allegation against Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, a formal criminal probe that landed hours after the 45-year-old congressman posted a video on social media calling the accusations against him "flat false."
Four women have now come forward accusing Swalwell of sexual misconduct, The US Sun reported. The most serious claim comes from a former staffer who told CNN that Swalwell raped her in 2024, leaving her bruised and bleeding. The DA's announcement, the cascade of Democratic leaders demanding Swalwell quit his gubernatorial campaign, and the resignation of his own campaign chairman have turned the congressman's political future into a question mark in a matter of days.
No charges have been filed. Swalwell denies every allegation. But the speed with which his own party has moved to distance itself from him tells its own story.
The former staffer, whose name has not been made public, told CNN that after she stopped working in Swalwell's office, she was heavily intoxicated and woke up to find him raping her. She described the 2024 encounter in stark terms:
"I was pushing him off of me, saying no. He didn't stop."
She also claimed a prior incident in 2019, saying she woke up naked with Swalwell in a hotel room after they had been drinking heavily and had no recollection of what took place. The New York Post reported that the alleged 2024 assault occurred after an April charity gala in New York City, when the accuser said she was heavily intoxicated and awoke in her hotel room to find Swalwell assaulting her.
At least one other woman claimed she ended up heavily intoxicated in Swalwell's hotel room with little memory of what happened. That woman also said he had earlier kissed and touched her leg without her consent. CNN reported that three additional women beyond the former staffer accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, with some allegations involving nonconsensual sex or inappropriate messages, including nude images.
Swalwell's attorney sent cease-and-desist letters to at least two of the women, calling their allegations "false" and threatening legal action if they did not retract their statements. The attorney denied Swalwell had ever had nonconsensual sex with any woman or any sexual contact with any member of his staff, describing one accuser's interactions with Swalwell as a "voluntary and cooperative relationship with Mr. Swalwell over the course of many years."
On Saturday, Swalwell shared a video on social media pushing back against the accusations. His denial was emphatic, and carefully lawyered. He faces pointed backlash given his own past demands that accusers of Justice Brett Kavanaugh "deserve to be heard."
"These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have."
Swalwell also framed the timing as suspicious, telling supporters the claims arrived "on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor." He said he had served the public "for nearly 20 years, as a prosecutor and a congressman" and had "always protected women."
But in the same statement, the congressman acknowledged personal failings. He said he had "made mistakes in judgement in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife." He apologized to his wife of nine years, Brittany Watts, saying he was sorry for "putting her in this position." He did not specify what those mistakes were.
Hours after Swalwell's video went live, the Manhattan District Attorney's office issued a statement to CNN confirming it was investigating the allegation. The office urged anyone with information to come forward:
"We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373. Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner."
The statement stopped short of naming Swalwell as a suspect or target. But the public appeal for additional witnesses signals the office is treating the matter with the seriousness of a developing case, not a preliminary review. An East Bay journalist has said that Swalwell's conduct toward women was an open secret in Alameda County, raising questions about how long warning signs may have gone unaddressed.
The political fallout has been swift and severe, and it has come almost entirely from Swalwell's own side. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic leaders in Congress issued a joint statement on Saturday demanding action:
"Following the incredibly disturbing sexual assault accusations against Congressman Eric Swalwell, we call for a swift investigation into these incidents and for the Congressman to immediately end his campaign to be California's next Governor. This is unacceptable of anyone, certainly not an elected official, and must be taken seriously."
Jeffries and the other leaders added: "We commended the courageous women for sharing their experiences. All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment must be held accountable."
Rep. Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles, who had served as Swalwell's campaign chairman, resigned from the post. Gomez said he had learned "shocking information about Eric Swalwell containing the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable." AP News reported that prominent Democrats including Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Ruben Gallego, and Rep. Adam Gray also pulled their support and called on Swalwell to end his gubernatorial bid. Influential labor unions withdrew their backing as well.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom weighed in, telling AP: "As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously." Gomez was more direct, stating: "The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay."
The speed of the Democratic exodus is notable. This is not a case where party leaders waited for an investigation to conclude before taking a position. Within a single day, Swalwell went from gubernatorial front-runner to a man whose own campaign chairman quit on him. Meanwhile, a Florida Republican has moved to expel Swalwell from Congress altogether.
Swalwell is no stranger to political turbulence. The Washington Times noted that the Manhattan DA investigation significantly escalates the legal and political pressure around the congressman, with calls for his expulsion from Congress now joining demands that he abandon the governor's race. The allegations have triggered consequences that extend well beyond one campaign.
Newsmax reported that both Democrats and Republicans have urged Swalwell to step aside or face expulsion, underscoring how the accusations have created rare bipartisan agreement on accountability. The San Francisco Chronicle was among the outlets to which the former staffer brought her claims, reporting two alleged nonconsensual encounters, one in 2019 and one in 2024.
Swalwell's financial records have also drawn scrutiny, including questions about delayed taxes and $244,000 in campaign-funded child care, a separate controversy that adds to the portrait of a congressman whose judgment is under examination from multiple directions.
Several important questions hang over this case. No charges have been filed, and the DA's office has not publicly named Swalwell as a formal target. The exact dates and locations of the alleged incidents remain partially unclear, the 2024 accusation is tied to an April charity gala in New York City, but the 2019 claim lacks a specific date or venue beyond "a hotel room."
None of the four accusers have been publicly identified. It is not known whether the Manhattan DA's investigation extends to the 2019 allegation or is limited to the 2024 claim. Swalwell has promised to "defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action," but has not specified what form that defense will take beyond his attorney's cease-and-desist letters.
The congressman told supporters, "you know who I am." His own party's leadership apparently decided the same thing, and chose to walk away.
When a man's allies abandon him before prosecutors even file a charge, the facts on the ground have already spoken louder than any denial. Voters and jurors alike will have to sort out the rest. But the silence from Swalwell's former friends is deafening.
