Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe, AP source says
WASHINGTON —
asserted
source → seize → probe
Federal agents seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California, according to a person familiar with the matter.
uncertain
agents → seize → matter
Swalwell's devices were seized at the San Francisco airport on Saturday and agents executed a search warrant at his home a day later, said the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
asserted
who → seize → anonymity
A message seeking comment was left Thursday with an attorney for Swalwell, who has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
asserted
who → seek → assault
The Daily Mail first reported the seizure of Swalwell's devices on Thursday.
asserted
Mail → report → Thursday
Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress in April following allegations that Swalwell had sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him.
asserted
she → announce → him
The San Francisco Chronicle, followed by CNN, first reported the allegations.
asserted
Chronicle → follow → allegations
CNN also reported that three other women alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.
asserted
women → report → messages
The seven-term lawmaker had been seen as one of the leading candidates in California's gubernatorial race before dropping out after the allegations surfaced.
asserted
allegations → see → race
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed in April that it was investigating Swalwell after a former staffer told CNN and the Chronicle that Swalwell raped her at a hotel while he was in New York City for a charity gala in 2024.
asserted
he → confirm → 2024
In a statement, Bragg's office encouraged "survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division."
asserted
office → encourage → Division
A lawyer representing Lonna Drewes, a California woman who in April said she had been raped in 2018 by Swalwell, said his team was cooperating with all law enforcement agencies investigating the former congressman.
asserted
team → represent → congressman
"We are encouraged to learn about the escalation of the FBI's investigation into the allegations against Eric Swalwell," attorney Arick Fudali said in a statement.
asserted
Fudali → encourage → statement
Drewes spoke of the assault at a news conference days after Swalwell dropped out of the California governor's race.
asserted
Swalwell → speak → race
She said it occurred at a hotel in Southern California.
asserted
it → say → California
Swalwell denied that assault.
asserted
Swalwell → deny → assault
Swalwell, an Iowa native, was elected in 2012 and represented a House district east of San Francisco.
asserted
Swalwell → elect → Francisco
He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but ended it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.
asserted
He → launch → voters
He was a prominent member of the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees during Trump's first term and served as one of several Democratic prosecutors for Trump's second impeachment after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
asserted
He → serve → Capitol
Swalwell was removed from the Intelligence Committee by then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in 2023 based on Swalwell's contact with a suspected Chinese spy, Christine Fang.
asserted
Swalwell → remove → spy
Fang was reported to have come into contact with Swalwell's campaign as he was first running for Congress in 2012 and to have participated in fundraising for his 2014 campaign.
asserted
he → report → campaign
Federal investigators alerted Swalwell to their concerns and briefed Congress about Fang in 2015, at which point Swalwell says he cut off contact with her.
asserted
he → alert → her
He was not accused of wrongdoing and a House Ethics Committee investigation that was opened in 2021 closed two years later without any action.
asserted
that → accuse → action
California lawmaker Aisha Wahab secured victory Thursday in a special election to serve the rest of Swalwell's House term, which ends in January.
asserted
which → secure → January
She will run again in the November election to represent the district for a full two-year term.
asserted
She → run → term
The Aporia
