Manhattan DA investigating Rep. Eric Swalwell sexual assault allegation at NYC hotel

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office says it is investigating an allegation that Rep. Eric Swalwell sexually assaulted a former staffer in 2024 while at a hotel in New York City.

“We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373,” Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s office said in a statement Saturday. “Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”

The investigation follows reporting this week from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN that accuses the top Democratic candidate for governor of California of sexually assaulting the staffer while she was too intoxicated to consent.

The woman alleges that in April 2024, after a night of drinking with Swalwell, she woke up in the hotel room to him having sex with her.

“I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” she told CNN. “He didn’t stop.”

The woman worked for Swalwell from 2019 until 2021, NBC News confirmed. The woman’s lawyer declined to comment and NBC News has not verified her allegations.

On Friday, Swalwell denied the allegations and said that he would spend the weekend with family and friends and share an update “very soon.”

“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They’re absolutely false. They did not happen, they have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have,” he said.

Swalwell was among the leading Democrats in the race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom. But in just hours, he saw his most prominent supporters — including U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and powerful labor unions — drop their endorsements and call for his exit from the race.

Allegations of sexual assault are imploding Eric Swalwell’s campaign for California governor. NBC 7 Political Reporter Joey Safchik has reaction on the developing story.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that a woman said Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019 and 2024. The newspaper reviewed text messages about the alleged 2024 assault and spoke to people whom she had told about it. She told the newspaper she did not go to police because she was afraid she would not be believed.

The woman worked for Swalwell in 2019, when the first alleged assault occurred, and the 2024 assault allegedly occurred after a charity gala, the newspaper reported. She said in both cases she was too intoxicated to consent to sex.

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.

On Saturday afternoon, Swalwell’s congressional and campaign senior staff shared a new joint statement with NBC News.

“As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” an excerpt of the statement read. “We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too. The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians,” it read.

Within hours of the allegations going public, Swalwell saw several of his prominent supporters — such as U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and union leaders drop their endorsements and call for an end to his campaign. Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County, Calif. — a Republican who is also running for California governor, called Swalwell “an embarrassment to the office he holds.” One of Swalwell’s Democratic rivals, state schools chief Tony Thurmond, also called on Swalwell to quit his job and his campaign. “I want to acknowledge the courage of the women who have come forward and as I stand here, call on Congressman Eric Swalwell to take responsibility for you actions,” said Thurmond. “I’m calling on you to resign from Congress and step away from this race.”