Trending Now - Allegations of Sexual Assault Surface Against Eric Swalwell
WHO:
TMZ - Rep. Eric Swalwell, a candidate for Governor of California, is accused by a former staffer.
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman, who worked for Swalwell for nearly two years, is not named in compliance with the Chronicle's policy against naming alleged victims of sexual assault.
San Francisco Chronicle - Swalwell's attorney is Elias Dabaie.
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman’s attorney is Gerald Singleton.
WHAT:
San Francisco Chronicle - The former staffer alleges that Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice: once while she was employed and once years later.
San Francisco Chronicle - Swalwell's campaign stated, “These anonymous election eve claims are categorically false.”
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman claims Swalwell sent her explicit messages on Snapchat and attempted to engage in sexual acts without her consent.
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman reported that she woke up naked in Swalwell's hotel bed after a night of drinking in September 2019, feeling the effects of vaginal intercourse.
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman texted a friend three days after an alleged April 2024 incident, stating she was “sexually assaulted” by Swalwell.
WHERE:
San Francisco Chronicle - The alleged incidents occurred in Swalwell's district office in Castro Valley, California, and at a hotel in New York City.
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman drove Swalwell home from a donor meeting in San Francisco and later to a bar in New York City.
WHEN:
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman began working for Swalwell in July 2019.
San Francisco Chronicle - The alleged sexual assault incidents occurred in September 2019 and April 2024.
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman texted her friend about the April 2024 incident three days later, on April 28th, 2024.
WHY:
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman stated she felt compelled to speak out due to the political implications of Swalwell's candidacy and the need for accountability regarding treatment of women.
HOW:
San Francisco Chronicle - The woman claims Swalwell used Snapchat to send explicit images and messages, and that he attempted to engage in sexual acts while she was intoxicated.
San Francisco Chronicle - Swalwell's attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the woman, threatening legal action if she did not retract her allegations.
(UPDATED April 10, 2026 23:08 UTC)
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a candidate for Governor of California, is facing serious allegations from a former staffer who claims he sexually assaulted her twice, once during her employment and again years later. The woman, who worked for Swalwell for nearly two years, alleges that he sent her explicit messages on Snapchat and attempted to engage in sexual acts without her consent, including an incident in September 20th19 where she reported waking up naked in Swalwell's hotel bed. Swalwell's campaign has denied the allegations, calling them "categorically false," while his attorney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the woman, threatening legal action if she does not retract her claims. The alleged incidents took place in Swalwell's district office in Castro Valley, California, and at a hotel in New York City, with the woman stating she felt compelled to speak out due to the political implications of Swalwell's candidacy. The woman texted a friend three days after an alleged incident in April 20th24, expressing that she had been "sexually assaulted" by Swalwell.