Former staffer accuses Eric Swalwell of assault; congressman rejects claims, calls them politically motivated.
April 11, 2026: A former staffer of Eric Swalwell has accused him of sexual assault, alleging that he raped her while she was heavily intoxicated during an incident in 2024. Speaking to CNN, the woman claimed she resisted and told him to stop, but he allegedly continued. She also alleged a prior incident in 2019 involving non-consensual contact after a night of heavy drinking. Swalwell has strongly denied all allegations, calling them false and politically motivated.
According to reports, three other women have also accused Swalwell of inappropriate or sexualised behaviour, including sending unsolicited explicit messages and images. One woman alleged unwanted physical contact during a meeting, while another, social media creator Ally Sammarco, claimed he sent explicit photos after initiating contact online. The women said interactions often began through political or professional engagement before becoming personal, sometimes in contexts involving alcohol and perceived power imbalance.
Swalwell’s legal team has issued cease-and-desist notices to some of the accusers, demanding retractions and warning of legal action. They maintain that the claims are baseless and point to continued voluntary communication as undermining the allegations. The controversy has surfaced amid Swalwell’s rising profile in California’s gubernatorial race, drawing mixed reactions, with some former colleagues defending his professional conduct while others have reportedly distanced themselves following the reports.