Manhattan DA investigating sexual assault allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell by former staffer

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — There are new developments in the sex assault investigation involving California candidate for governor and Bay Area Congressman Eric Swalwell.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is now investigating a claim from one of Swalwell’s former staffers.

She told CNN she was heavily intoxicated after a night of drinking with Swalwell in New York City in April 2024, when she woke up to him having sex with her in his hotel bed.

California Rep. Eric Swalwell is denying sexual assault allegations, says he won’t drop out of governor’s race following SF Chronicle’s report.

The D.A.’s office issued a statement Saturday, urging anyone with knowledge of the allegations to come forward.

The staffer is now one of four women to accuse Swalwell of sexual misconduct.

The San Francisco Chronicle also reported Friday that a former female congressional staffer accused Swalwell of two separate non-consensual sexual encounters. The report alleges the interactions occurred beginning in 2019, when the woman was 21 years old and newly hired to work in the Democrat’s district office in Castro Valley.

ABC7 Eyewitness News has not independently verified the allegations made to the Chronicle or CNN.

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Uncorroborated and nonspecific rumors that Swalwell behaved inappropriately with female staffers have circulated on social media for weeks, but the Chronicle’s story is the first reported account of someone making a direct accusation. CNN also published a story that appeared to feature the same woman’s allegations, though she was not named, as well as allegations from several women that Swalwell sent them inappropriate sexual messages.

Swalwell is among a handful of prominent candidates in the crowded race to succeed Newsom, and he immediately came under pressure from all other Democratic rivals to withdraw from the race. The party has been mired in a messy primary season with some leaders fearing the crowded field could cost them spot in the November general election. The state’s top-two primary system sends the two highest vote-getters on to the general election regardless of party.

Swalwell on Tuesday kicked off a planned series of campaign events in Sacramento, where he told reporters he’s never had a sexual relationship with a staff member or intern. He canceled the next scheduled event in Palm Springs on Thursday.

Powerful labor unions, including the California Service Employees International Union and the California Teachers Association, said they’re suspending their support. The California Federation of Labor Unions said it’s “acting urgently” on next steps.

Swalwell was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters. Swalwell, who is married and has three children, is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial during his first term in early 2021.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.