Eric Swalwell’s charges and investigation explained

Representative Eric Swalwell He is facing sexual assault accusations from multiple women, an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney and calls from top Democrats to end his campaign for California governor.

Four women – including a former staffer who claimed the politician raped her – Charges against Swalwell in April 2026 Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment. Swalwell categorically denies all accusations.

“These allegations are false and occurred on the eve of the election of a front-runner for governor,” Swalwell said. said in a statement. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public as a prosecutor and a member of Congress, always protecting women.”

Swalwell, the Democratic congressman who represents California’s 14th Congressional District, was the front-runner in the 2026 California gubernatorial race before the allegations made headlines.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the scandal and the resulting investigation:

What are the charges against Eric Swalwell?

A former employee of Eric Swalwell, who was 21 when he was hired, claims he attempted to pursue her romantically in 2019 while she was working at the district office in Castro Valley, California. She said he messaged her via Snapchat, sending her photos of his genitals and asking for nude photos in return. She also claimed Swalwell tried to kiss her in the car and later asked her to perform oral sex on him.

The woman further claimed that in September 2019, Swalwell invited her out for drinks at which time she “blacked out” and allegedly woke up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed, at which point she felt the effects of vaginal intercourse.

“I kept thinking of ways to blame myself: I shouldn’t have contacted him at all, I should have left, I should have done this,” an anonymous victim told CNN in April 2026. “Well, Eric shouldn’t have raped me.”

another woman, Ellie SammarcoAlleges Swalwell offered to “share her resume” with other congressional offices and then sent her “highly inappropriate” messages via Snapchat. Two other women have also accused members of Congress of sexual harassment and unwanted touching. All the women, except Samarco, wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal.

Eric Swalwell denies and apologizes to wife

Eric Swalwell responded to the accusations in a social media video while also Apologize to my wife, Brittany Watts.

“I am not in any way suggesting to you that I am perfect or that I am a saint,” he said in an April 2026 social media video. “I have certainly made errors of judgment in the past. Those mistakes were between my wife and I. To her, I deeply apologize for putting her on this potion.”

Watts, who shares three children with Swalwell, has yet to respond publicly to the scandal.

Ellie Samarco’s husband reacts to scandal

alleged victim Ellie Sammarcohusband, Adam Parkhomenko Direct response to Swalwell’s denial April 2026 video.

“My wife’s name is Ellie Samako. Obviously you know this, but she is not anonymous,” Democratic strategist and former Democratic National Committee national field director Parkhomenko wrote in April 2026 via X. “She also opened up about it to CNN in the hope that this wouldn’t happen to other women and maybe it would help other women come forward.”

Parkhomenko added in a second statement, “I would like to reiterate that if Eric Swalwell and his attorneys believe that any statements made by my wife and I are untrue, he should sue us immediately.”

Democrats call on Eric Swalwell to drop out of gubernatorial race

prominent members of the democratic party In April 2022, publicly reacted to the Eric Swalwell misconduct scandal.

“This extremely sensitive matter must be properly investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it became clear that this was best done outside of the gubernatorial race.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem JeffriesMeanwhile, a joint statement with Democratic whips Katherine Clark and Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar. They called on Swalwell to “immediately end his campaign to become California’s next governor.”

Adam GraySwalwell’s campaign co-chairman, a California Democrat, also called the reports “deeply troubling” and withdrew his support for the congressman’s gubernatorial campaign.

Manhattan District Attorney launches investigation

this The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has launched an investigation Enter Eric Swalwell on April 11, 2026.

“We urge survivors and anyone with information about these allegations to contact our Special Victims Unit at 212-335-9373,” the District Attorney’s Office told CNN in a statement. “Our highly trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to assist you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”

US Weekly Swalwell’s communications director was contacted for comment.

Congressman Eric Swalwell’s staff ‘shocked’ by sexual misconduct allegations

Staff in his 14th Congressional District and the “Eric Swalwell for Governor 2026” campaign after the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by Congressman Eric Swalwell issued a joint statement condemning him.

“As leaders of Eric Swalwell’s staff, we are alarmed by recent reports san francisco chronicle and reported by CNN,” they said. “We stand with our former colleagues and other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them too. The conduct detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of public officials and a betrayal of the trust of all Californians. “

His employees explained why it was impossible for many of them to quit their jobs at Swalwell while the scandal continued.

“We also understand that the teams we lead need guidance and stability now more than ever,” they said in a joint statement. “We are focused on supporting our colleagues during this challenging time.”
“Any decision by employees to retain their positions during the transition should not be viewed as an endorsement of Eric Swalwell. “We recognize that not everyone, especially our entry-level employees, can immediately lose their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequences. Our responsibility now is to them. “

Their statement concluded: “We understand better than he does that we have obligations to the people we lead and to the voters of California’s 14th Congressional District. Those of us who remain do so for the sole purpose of ensuring that as many of those obligations as possible are met.”

US Weekly Congressman Swalwell’s office has been contacted for comment.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

This story was compiled with the help of artificial intelligence tools and edited by journalists.