FBI seizes former Congressman Eric Swalwell's devices and searches his home as part of investigation
Agents stopped the Democrat in an airport over the weekend as part of an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations that he has denied.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents confiscated electronic devices from former U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell at an airport and simultaneously conducted a search of his Washington D.C. residence this past weekend. These actions are part of a federal inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
Earlier this year, following the emergence of these allegations, Swalwell withdrew from the California gubernatorial race, where he had been a frontrunner, and relinquished his position in the House of Representatives.
He is also the subject of criminal investigations by both the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department concerning accusations of rape and sexual assault.
Swalwell has previously refuted these allegations, and his attorney has characterized them as "fabricated." The BBC has sought comment from him.
"These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive – a calculated and transparent political hit job," stated his attorney, Sara Azari, when the allegations first came to light.
Federal agents seized Swalwell's devices and searched his home pursuant to a search warrant, as reported by CBS News, the BBC's U.S. media partner.
Swalwell, 45, has been accused by several women, with allegations including that he raped one victim who was too intoxicated to consent and that he sent unsolicited nude photographs to women.
A prominent Democrat frequently featured on cable news for his criticism of President Donald Trump, Swalwell resigned from Congress and ended his campaign for California governor after these reports surfaced and members of the House advocated for his removal. The House ethics committee initiated an investigation, which concluded once Swalwell was no longer a member of Congress.
On Monday, the White House released declassified documents from a separate FBI investigation, which detailed his alleged relationship with a suspected Chinese spy over ten years ago. Many specifics regarding his 2015 relationship with Christine Fang were already public knowledge, and Swalwell was never charged in connection with that matter.
Several U.S. media outlets, including CBS News, were informed that FBI Director Kash Patel was instrumental in the decision to release the files from that investigation.
Additional headlines related to Swalwell include: "Another woman accuses Swalwell of rape, saying he drugged her in 2018," "Eric Swalwell quits California governor race amid sexual misconduct claims," and "Eric Swalwell to resign from Congress after sexual misconduct claims."