FBI raids former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s home, seizes devices in probe tied to sexual assault claims

FBI seizes devices, searches homes

Federal agents seized electronic devices from former US Representative Eric Swalwell at the San Francisco airport on Saturday and searched his home in Washington, DC, the following day, according to sources familiar with the investigation who spoke to CNN. The actions were part of an ongoing federal probe connected to sexual assault allegations against the former California Democrat. The BBC, citing its US media partner CBS News, reported that agents executed a search warrant when retrieving the devices and searching the home.

Swalwell and his lawyer did not immediately respond to messages from CNN, and the BBC said it had also reached out for comment. The FBI declined to comment on the search, and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to a single report.

Background: resignation and criminal probes

Swalwell resigned from Congress in April after reporting by CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle detailed allegations of sexual misconduct. He had been running for governor of California and dropped out of that race, where he was in the lead, around the same time, as reported by the BBC. The House ethics committee launched an investigation into the allegations, which ended once Swalwell left office because the committee only has jurisdiction over current members and staff.

Separately, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department opened criminal investigations into Swalwell in the wake of the reporting. The federal raids this weekend are part of a distinct investigation connected to the sexual assault claims, sources told CNN.

Allegations and denial

Swalwell has faced allegations from multiple women, including that he raped one victim while she was too intoxicated to respond and that he sent women unsolicited nude photographs, as reported by the BBC. CNN reported allegations from three other women who claimed Swalwell sent them unwanted explicit text messages or photos. The San Francisco Chronicle also published an account from an unnamed ex-staffer who alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted her.

Swalwell has denied the allegations. His attorney, Sara Azari, called the accusations "false, fabricated, and deeply offensive - a calculated and transparent political hit job," in a statement reported by the BBC around the time the allegations first surfaced.

Three women who have spoken publicly about sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell told CNN they spoke with the FBI as part of the investigation, the outlet reported.

Separate spy-related inquiry

The White House released declassified documents from a separate FBI investigation on Monday revealing details of Swalwell's alleged relationship with a suspected Chinese spy over a decade ago. Many of the details regarding his 2015 relationship with Christine Fang were already known, according to the BBC, which also reported that FBI Director Kash Patel was behind a push to release the files. Swalwell never faced charges related to the spy matter.

Swalwell, a high-profile Democrat often seen on cable news criticizing President Donald Trump, has not publicly commented on the weekend searches as of this writing.